Can a Federal Law Alone End Child Marriage Without Provincial Action?
News Desk
Islamabad: In a historic move to safeguard the rights of children, especially girls, the National Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a landmark bill aimed at eliminating child marriages in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
The bill, spearheaded by MNA Sharmila Faruqui, was introduced by suspending parliamentary rules despite not being on the official agenda. The proposed legislation, once enacted, will override the colonial-era Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929 within the federal capital, ushering in more stringent penalties and clear procedural safeguards against underage unions.
Under the new law, no Nikah registrar will be allowed to register a marriage if either party is below 18 years of age.
It mandates verification of age through valid CNICs issued by NADRA, and violators—including registrars, officiators, and even parents—face heavy penalties.
Tougher Penalties to Deter Offenders
According to the bill, male adults who marry a child will face rigorous imprisonment of two to three years and be liable to fines. Nikah registrars and officiants who knowingly register or solemnise a child marriage may be punished with up to one year in prison and a fine of Rs100,000, or both.
In a bold move, the bill classifies any form of cohabitation resulting from child marriage—even with consent—as child abuse, punishable with a minimum of five years and up to seven years of imprisonment, along with a fine of not less than Rs1 million.
Additionally, anyone facilitating child marriage, including parents or guardians who promote, arrange, or fail to prevent such unions, can be sentenced to two to three years of rigorous imprisonment and face financial penalties.
Preventive Powers for Courts
Courts have also been empowered to issue injunctions if credible information is presented that a child marriage is about to take place. The law includes provisions to protect the identity of whistleblowers—including parents or third parties—who inform authorities about impending child marriages.
Bill Aligned with Global Commitments
The statement attached to the bill emphasized that child marriage violates children’s rights and Pakistan’s international obligations, especially under Goal 5 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which targets the eradication of child marriage by 2030.
“In this modern era, we have the research and resources that confirm the harmful effects of child marriages, especially on girls,” the bill states. “This law is essential for protecting the rights and futures of children in Islamabad.”
The passage of the bill marks a major step forward in Pakistan’s legal efforts to end child marriage, with activists hailing it as a long-overdue reform that could inspire similar action in other parts of the country.
