ISLAMABAD: In a major legislative step to safeguard children’s rights and curb child marriage, President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday ratified the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025.
The legislation, which prohibits marriage under the age of 18 within the Islamabad Capital Territory, was presented to the president for final approval on May 27 after passing both the National Assembly and Senate.
Despite its passage, the law has sparked significant backlash from religious quarters. The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) voiced strong objections, arguing that declaring marriage under 18 as rape contradicts Islamic principles.
Senator Sherry Rehman hailed the law as a landmark in Pakistan’s legislative journey to combat child marriage. “This is a major achievement in the fight against child marriage,” she stated. Rehman said that the bill was signed into law despite heavy resistance and societal pressure.
“The enactment of this bill marks the beginning of much-needed reforms in our country,” she said. She described it as a victory for women’s and children’s rights, highlighting the years-long struggle behind the legislation.
“This law isn’t just a legal document but it is a declaration that every girl deserves education, healthcare, and a brighter future,” she added. Rehman extended gratitude to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, party members, other political stakeholders, opposition figures, and civil society for their support. She also urged provincial governments to adopt similar laws to protect children nationwide.
However, opposition to the bill was led by CII member Maulana Jalaludin of JUI-F, who called on President Zardari to avoid what he described as social disorder. He insisted that legislation cannot supersede the Quran and Sunnah.
He condemned the bill as inconsistent with Islamic teachings and Pakistani cultural norms, labelling it a “Western conspiracy” aimed at weakening the family system. Jalaludin also criticized the government for not consulting the CII before passing the law, suggesting it was approved “secretly.”
On the other hand, PPP lawmaker Sharmila Faruqi, who introduced the bill in the National Assembly, rejected the religious framing of the issue. “This is a matter of human rights,” she said. “We’re not opposing marriage, but forcing girls as young as 13 or 14 into it is unjust, especially when minors can’t vote, drive, or get identity documents.”
Faruqi also cited a 2022 ruling by the Federal Shariat Court, which upheld the state’s authority to determine the minimum legal age for marriage.
Read also: Senate passes landmark bill banning child marriage in Islamabad
