President Asif Ali Zardari has signed the bill prohibiting child marriage, officially making it a law. The bill was presented by Sharmila Faruqi in the National Assembly and by Sherry Rehman in the Senate.
According to the new law, marriage under the age of 18 is considered illegal. Any Nikah registrar who officiates a marriage involving individuals below this age may face up to one year in prison, a fine of up to one lakh rupees, or both.
If an adult (over 18) marries a minor girl, the proposed punishment is two to three years of rigorous imprisonment. Parents or guardians who arrange or fail to prevent such a marriage may also face three years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine.
The law empowers the court to immediately halt any underage marriage upon receiving a report. The identity of the person reporting can be kept confidential, and the court will provide them full protection.
This legislation is being seen as a significant effort to end child marriages and safeguard the fundamental rights of minors.
Why Maulana Fazlur Rehman Opposed the Bill?
JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman opposed the bill, stating that any law not following Shariah will cause conflict. He emphasized that the assemblies are functional and no law contrary to the Quran and Sunnah should be presented in parliament.
What Punishments Are Proposed in the Bill?
According to the bill, an adult man marrying a minor girl may face a minimum of two and a maximum of three years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine. Furthermore, engaging in physical relations in such a marriage will be considered as abuse of a minor, regardless of consent.
Punishment for Forcing Marriage
Anyone who persuades, coerces, or forces a minor bride or groom into marriage — even a close relative — may face five to seven years in prison and a fine of up to one million rupees, or both.
Punishment for Parents and Nikah Registrars
Parents who arrange the marriage of minors will face three years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine. If a Nikah registrar officiates a marriage without verifying computerized identity cards, they may face one year of imprisonment, a fine of one lakh rupees, or both.
Powers of the Court
Under this law, the court has the authority to issue a stay order to stop any underage marriage. The court is also bound to decide such cases within 90 days.
