Underage Marriage Bill Signed: Groom and Cleric Face Jail Time Under New Law in Pakistan

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has signed a new bill into law that strictly prohibits underage marriages in Pakistan. Under the new legislation, not only will adult men who marry underage girls face harsh penalties, but clerics (Nikah Khwans) who officiate such marriages will also be held criminally accountable.
According to the law, if a Nikah Khwan knowingly conducts a marriage involving a bride or groom under the age of 18, they can face up to one year in jail and a fine of Rs. 100,000.
Furthermore, any adult male who marries a girl under 18 will face up to three years of rigorous imprisonment. The bill was introduced in the National Assembly by Sharmila Faruqi and in the Senate by Sherry Rehman.
The law also empowers courts to immediately halt any underage marriage if credible information is received. To protect whistleblowers, the identity of those reporting such cases can be kept confidential, and the courts are required to ensure their safety.
Despite previous efforts and laws aimed at curbing child marriage, experts note a rising trend in such cases across the country. They stress that verifying a girl’s age prior to marriage is a critical and non-negotiable responsibility.
This legislative step is being hailed as a significant move towards protecting the rights of minors and addressing the deep-rooted issue of child marriage in Pakistan.