President Zardari Signs Law to Ban Child Marriage in Pakistan

President Asif Ali Zardari signed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025 into law on Friday, officially setting the minimum legal age for marriage at 18 years. The bill aims to protect minors and curb the practice of underage marriages across Pakistan.

Under the new law, “no Nikah khuwan will be allowed to solemnise a marriage where one or both of the girl and boy are under the age of 18.” Violators of this clause may face up to one year in prison and a fine of Rs100,000.

Further, the law stipulates that “if a man over the age of 18 marries an underage girl, he may be sentenced to up to three years of rigorous imprisonment.” Courts are also empowered to intervene and stop any underage marriage upon receiving information, with confidentiality and protection offered to the informant.

The bill was originally introduced in the National Assembly by PPP MNA Sharmila Faruqui and later moved in the Senate by Senator Sherry Rehman. Despite its legislative success, the bill drew criticism from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII).

“The CII at its meeting termed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill which was moved by Sharmila Faruqui MNA in the National Assembly as un-Islamic,” stated the council. They argued that the bill’s clauses contradict Islamic teachings and highlighted that the legislation had not been referred to the council for review.

Pakistan remains among the top six countries with the highest number of child brides, with an estimated 19 million girls married before turning 18. The law marks a significant step toward addressing this issue and promoting the rights of young girls in the country.