Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday (May 30, 2025) signed into law a invoice fixing the minimal age for marriage at 18 years to curb child marriages regardless of opposition from right-wing clerics.
The Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, searching for to defend the rights of kids and ultimately eradicate marriages of kids underneath the age of 18, was despatched to the President’s approval on May 27 after crusing via each homes of Parliament.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman shared on X a presidential notification associated to the approval of the laws.
“The Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025 is assented to, as passed by the Parliament,” the notification learn.
“Pakistan has reached a milestone in the enactment of important legislation against child marriages,” she stated.
Mr. Zardari accented to the invoice regardless of sturdy opposition from non secular teams and even the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), a constitutional physique tasked to supply counsel on authorized points, in a ruling stated that classifying marriage underneath the age of 18 as rape didn’t conform with Islamic law.
Ms. Rehman stated that the approval of the invoice was profitable regardless of resistance from varied sections, including that President Zardari signed the invoice regardless of stress.
“The signing of the Child Marriage Restraint Bill is a symbol of a new era of reforms in Pakistan,” she stated.
She hailed the approval as a victory for the safety of the rights of girls and youngsters, including, “This law was possible after a long and difficult struggle.”
“This bill is not just a law, it is a commitment that our girls have the right to education, health and a prosperous life,” Ms. Rehman continued.
She thanked PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, get together leaders, different political events and representatives of the opposition and the general public for his or her assist to the invoice.
Earlier, CII member Maulana Jalaludin, who belongs to the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), stated President Zardari ought to forestall anarchy in society by not signing the invoice.
Published – May 30, 2025 04:54 pm IST
