Senate Passes Bill to Ban Child Marriages in Islamabad; JUI-F Walks Out in Protest

Islamabad:The Senate of Pakistan has passed a landmark bill banning child marriages in Islamabad, with strong opposition from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), which staged a walkout in protest.

The bill, presented by Senator Sherry Rehman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), defines a child as anyone under the age of 18. According to the legislation, no Nikah registrar will be allowed to solemnize a marriage if one or both parties are underage. Registrars must verify the age of both individuals using their NADRA-issued identity cards. Violations can result in up to one year in prison and a fine of Rs. 100,000.

The law also states that if an adult male marries a minor girl, he will face up to three years of rigorous imprisonment. Cohabitation with a minor before the age of 18 will be considered statutory rape. Anyone forcing or coercing a child into marriage will face up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to Rs. 1 million. Human trafficking with the intent of child marriage is also punishable by up to seven years in prison and fines.

Those assisting in the marriage of a minor could face up to three years of imprisonment and a fine, while parents or guardians who arrange such marriages or fail to prevent them may be sentenced to up to three years of rigorous imprisonment.

The crime of child marriage will be non-bailable, and courts are required to conclude proceedings within 90 days. Courts will also be empowered to stop a child marriage if informed, and whistleblowers will be granted protection, including anonymity if requested.

During the Senate debate, JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza opposed the bill, demanding that it be sent to the Council of Islamic Ideology for review. Senator Sherry Rehman responded that the bill is about child protection and not religion, emphasizing that girls should not be married off before the age of 18.

Other opposition voices included Maulana Atta ur Rehman, who argued that the bill takes rights away from parents and feared it would lead to a “European-style” liberal society. Meanwhile, PML-N’s Khalil Tahir Sandhu supported the bill, questioning why Pakistan should be the only Islamic country allowing marriages under 18, citing that in Egypt the minimum age is 21.

Senator Aimal Wali Khan noted the contradiction between legal adulthood and traditional practices, while Farooq H. Naek and Senator Samina Mumtaz strongly endorsed the bill, calling child marriage a “sin” and a violation of basic rights.

The bill now represents a crucial step toward protecting children’s rights in Pakistan, though it remains a contentious issue between progressive lawmakers and conservative religious parties.