President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday signed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2025, officially making it a law in Pakistan. This significant legislation fixes the minimum legal age for marriage at 18 years for both girls and boys, aiming to tackle the country’s alarming rate of underage marriages.
What is Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025?
The Child Marriage Restraint Bill Pakistan prohibits any Nikah khuwan from solemnising a marriage where either party is below 18 years of age.
Child Marriage Punishment in Pakistan 2025
Under the new law, violators face strict penalties, including imprisonment and fines. Specifically, a Nikah khuwan who performs a marriage involving an underage girl or boy can be sentenced to up to one year in prison and fined Rs100,000. Additionally, any man over 18 who marries an underage girl can face rigorous imprisonment for up to three years.
The act also empowers courts to intervene proactively. If a court receives information about a potential child marriage, it can issue an order to stop the marriage. Importantly, the law safeguards whistleblowers by allowing them to keep their identity confidential while ensuring protection by the court.
This new legislation marks a historic step in addressing child marriage punishment in Pakistan, reinforcing the government’s commitment to eradicating this social issue. Pakistan currently ranks sixth globally for the highest number of child brides, with approximately 19 million girls married before turning 18. Alarmingly, nearly half of these girls become pregnant before reaching legal adulthood, which often results in severe health risks and curtailed educational opportunities. Only 13% of married girls complete secondary education, compared to 44% of their unmarried counterparts, highlighting the detrimental impact of child marriage on girls’ futures.
Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2025 Legislative Journey and Opposition
The bill was initially introduced in the National Assembly by PPP’s MNA Sharmila Faruqui and subsequently presented in the Senate by Senator Sherry Rehman. Despite its historic passage, the bill faced opposition from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), which rejected the law, calling it “un-Islamic.” The CII argued that setting the marriage age at 18 and criminalizing underage marriage contradicts Islamic injunctions. The council acknowledged problems with underage marriages but suggested discouragement rather than legal prohibition. The CII also criticized the fact that the bill was not referred to them for consultation before approval.
Impact and Importance of the Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2025
The Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2025 aims to bring Pakistan in line with international standards on child rights and protection. By legally raising the minimum age of marriage, the government hopes to reduce child marriages significantly, improve girls’ health outcomes, and enhance their access to education and economic opportunities.
This legislation is a critical step toward protecting children from exploitation and ensuring their right to a childhood free from forced and early marriages.
