The news of Asif Ali Zardari, the President of Pakistan, signing a bill related to child marriage is circulating on the internet. The corridors of the Mullahs’ Empire have shaken, and Jamiat Ullema-e-Islam-Fazl is already grilling the signing of the bill. The Bill actually restraints the marriage of individuals under the age of 18 years. A strong victory for those who advocate for the rights of humanity – especially women’s rights – in Pakistan, the Bill seems to inflict a grueling blow to the fundamentalists of the country.
The Bill, officially called The Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, was presented to the President of Pakistan on the 27th of May, 2025. Subsequently, he signed it within the next two days. The Bill that was tabled by PPP’s MNA Sharmila Faruqui in the National Assembly of Pakistan, refrains the marriage of girls under 18. While tabling the Bill, the MNA added that the party was not against the marriage of girls, rather marrying girls at 13 or 14 years when their national identity card, driving license right, and other legal issues have not been substantiated is illegal and unethical.
The initiative is well-received by the liberal and secular public. However, as expected, Mullahs have been making a ruckus. The euphony of the rule of law that would prevent girls against the patriarchal tyranny is hard to digest for the flag bearers of Islam. The Council of Islamic Ideology labeled the Bill un-Islamic and an attack on the primary injunctions of Islamic norms.
The step is still limited to the Capital, and its transfer at the provincial level is yet to be seen; moreover, gauging the response from the conservative side is gloomy. Sindh and Punjab harbor similar laws already. However, the implementation of such laws is languishing. There is no denying the fact that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the hub of Mullahism. It is driven mostly by religious zealotry at the local level. With stalwarts such as JUI-F and JI prevalent in the province, it seems a far cry for the government to consolidate such effective measures that guard the rights of the trampled gender, female. Balochistan, on the other hand, is swamped in its own war. Threats such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other proscribed bands rule the province. It is hard to assess currently whether this initiative will transport to the provinces or the Mullahism chokes it halfway.
The law ensures the benefit of girls in the long term. Pakistan has a rate of 30% before-18-year marriages. Girls who get married at such a young age lose their potential to the societal norms they have been imposed upon. The mentality of society hinders the great and fertile minds. They are forced to become subservient to their husband and a patriarchy-driven society. If the law prevails, it will not only polish the minds of the youth, it will be useful for the forthcoming generations. It may lift the rate of literacy, health of women, awareness of society, and their status in society.
Conclusively, the bill signed by the head of the state is a great step toward the prosperity of women. Marrying girls at a young age without their consent is an everyday practice in Pakistan. Families across the country consider daughters as a burden, and such steps can rectify the place of the dominated gender. Unfortunately, using the self-made interpretation of Islam to their advantage, Islamic scholars of Pakistan are trying their level best to quell this effort of the government for downtrodden individuals in the society. Hope that justice prevails for each and every individual in our country.
