Christian Marriage Act Revised, Raises Marriage Age to 18 Years

APP

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has signed into law the Christian Marriage (Amendment) Act 2024 at the Aiwan-e-Sadr which provides for raising the marriageable age for Christian men and women to 18 years.

Addressing a ceremony after signing the Act, President Zardari stressed the need for increasing the job quota for the minority communities living in Pakistan in different government departments.

Asif Ali further said that he would write to the federal government to enhance the jobs quota in different departments, including the police, FIA, etc., for minorities, adding that there should be a quota for minorities in every department.

President emphasised that all citizens of the country have equal rights and urged the minorities to continue playing their role in the progress and prosperity of the country. He also advised them not to be disheartened by certain issues pertaining to politics, as in every society there might be some problems.

Speaking on the occasion, Bishop Abraham Daniel said that raising the age of marriage for men and women had been a long-standing demand of the Christian community.

Daniel expressed his gratitude to the President for signing the Act  into law and for his role in his previous tenure in reserving a 5 per cent quota for minorities in government jobs, besides allocating special seats for minorities in the Senate as well as declaring August 11 as Minorities’ Day in Pakistan.

Ministry of Religious Affairs Secretary Zulfiquar Haider said that the government is committed to safeguarding the rights of minorities in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan and the vision and values of the country’s founding fathers.

President Asif accorded assent to the Act under Article 75 of the Constitution of Pakistan. The Act amends Section 60 of the Christian Marriage Act of 1872. Prior to the amendments, the age of Christian men and women intending to be married was required to exceed sixteen and thirteen years, respectively.