ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday signed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2025 into law, which fixes minimum age for marriage at 18.
According to the legislation, no Nikah Khuwan will solemnize a marriage if either or both parties are under the age of 18. Nikah khuwan found violating this law may face up to one year in prison and a fine of Rs100,000.
Furthermore, any man above the age of 18 who marries an underage girl shall face rigorous imprisonment for up to three years.
The Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2025 was introduced in the National Assembly by Sharmila Faruqui, while in the Senate it was tabled by Sherry Rehman.
The law stipulates that if the court becomes aware that a marriage involving underage individuals is being arranged, it shall issue an order to prevent such a marriage. “If the party informing the court wishes to remain anonymous, the court will ensure their identity is protected”.
On other hand, the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has rejected Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2025 and termed it against Islam.
“The CII at its meeting termed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill which was moved by Sharmila Faruqui MNA in the National Assembly as un-Islamic,” an official statement issued by the CII said.
