Despite fierce opposition from Islamist groups in Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari on May 29 signed into law a landmark bill to curb child marriage, setting the minimum age for marriage for both genders at 18 years in the Islamabad Capital Territory.
“The Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025 is assented to, as passed by the Parliament,” the notification signed by Zardari read.
Opposition included the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), which declared that classifying marriage under the age of 18 as rape did not conform with sharia (Islamic law).
The bill defines a child as anyone under 18 years of age of either sex and states that no Nikah (Islamic marriage) registrar (officiant) is allowed to solemnize a marriage if either of the individuals is under 18. Registrars are also required to check and confirm the age of both parties using their Computerized National Identity Cards, issued by National Database and Registration Authority.
As per the legislation, if a registrar violates this law, they can face up to one year in jail and a fine of 100,000 Pakistani Rupees ($355 USD). The bill says that any man over 18 who marries an underage girl could face up to three years of rigorous imprisonment.
World Watch
Pakistan, whose population is 96% Muslim, ranked eighth on Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was originally published by Morning Star News.
