Pakistan’s Parliament has passed a landmark bill banning child marriages in the federal capital by setting 18 as the minimum legal age for marriage for both girls and boys — a move hailed as a major step toward safeguarding children’s rights.
The bill, introduced by Sharmila Faruqui of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the National Assembly on May 16, was unanimously approved before clearing the Senate on May 19, despite a walkout by lawmakers from the Islamist party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), who labeled the legislation “un-Islamic” and inconsistent with cultural and religious norms.
The JUI-F demanded the bill be referred to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). However, supporters argued the council had already approved similar legislation, noting that the law has been implemented without issue in Sindh Province for more than a decade.
Once signed into law by President Asif Ali Zardari, the measure will apply to Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), superseding the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929. Under the new legislation, district and sessions courts will be responsible for handling all related cases.
“In this modern day and age, we have the resources and the research which invariably proves that child marriage is harmful to both genders and especially girls who have hit puberty and are able to bear children,” the bill states.
It also cites international human rights standards, noting that “child marriages are in complete violation of the rights of children, and international obligations,” and aligns with Goal 5 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which aims to end child marriage by 2030.
The law defines a child as anyone under 18 and bars Nikah registrars from officiating marriages involving underage individuals. Registrars must verify ages using government-issued ID cards. Violators could face up to one year in prison and a fine of 100,000 Pakistani Rupees (approximately USD 354).
Offenders face tougher penalties under the new law. Any man over 18 who marries an underage girl may be sentenced to up to three years of rigorous imprisonment. “Living with a child under 18 in a marital relationship will be considered statutory rape,” the law states.
The legislation also targets those who force or facilitate child marriages. Perpetrators could face up to seven years in prison and fines reaching 1 million Pakistani Rupees (USD 3,540).
“The same punishment applies to anyone involved in trafficking a child for the purpose of marriage,” the bill adds. Accomplices and parents complicit in arranging underage marriages also face up to three years in prison and financial penalties.
Courts will be empowered to halt child marriages if alerted in time, and the law includes provisions to protect the anonymity of whistleblowers. Bail will be denied to accused offenders, and trials must be concluded within 90 days.
Pakistan, where Muslims make up 96 percent of the population, is ranked eighth on Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most severe persecution.
