Senate Passes Child Marriage Bill 2025 Despite JUI-F Boycott

Islamabad, May 19, 2025 – The Senate of Pakistan on Monday passed the Islamabad Capital Territory Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill 2025 with the unanimous consent of the present members, despite a walkout by senators from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F), who opposed the legislation, calling it contrary to Islamic values.

The session, chaired by Acting Chairman Senate Syedal Khan, saw intense debate when Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman introduced the bill, which aims to prevent child marriages in the federal capital. Senator Rehman highlighted the alarming rate of maternal mortality among teenage girls, stressing that girls under the age of 16 often face the risks of early motherhood, with many dying during childbirth. She noted that the bill was first passed unanimously by the Senate in 2013.

JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza opposed the bill, asserting that it conflicted with the Islamic system and should be referred to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). Senator Maulana Atta-ur-Rehman also strongly objected, arguing that allowing minors to choose their spouses without parental consent was akin to adopting European social norms. He announced that JUI-F would walk out of the session if the bill was passed without further consultation.

In response, Senator Rubina Khalid pointed out that the bill had already been approved by the Sindh Assembly and was in line with the views of the CII. “These legislators do not visit rural areas where minor girls are regularly married off. This law protects the rights of children,” she emphasized.

Senators from the opposition, including PTI’s Dost Muhammad Khan and Aimal Wali Khan, called for the bill to be sent to the CII for further deliberation. Senator Aimal warned against blindly adopting Western practices, suggesting that the focus should be on combating forced marriages instead of following external norms.

Senator Khalil Tahir Sindhu challenged the religious objections, asking, “Can you name any Muslim country, other than Pakistan, where marriage below the age of 18 is legal?” He was supported by Senator Farooq H. Naik, who pointed out that Islam does not define a fixed age for maturity but that Pakistani law considers individuals under 18 as minors.

Several senators offered personal testimonies, including Senator Nasima Ehsan, who shared her experience of marrying at the age of 13, stressing the importance of the bill in protecting girls. Senator Samina Mumtaz described child marriage as a “sin,” referencing countries like Egypt that have banned it. Senator Sarwar Ali also pointed out that Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, has legally set the minimum marriage age at 18.

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Maulana Atta-ur-Rehman cited religious traditions surrounding the age of marriage for Hazrat Aisha (RA), but Senator Sherry Rehman countered by stating that the state has the right to set age limits for marriage in the public interest, especially considering that the Federal Sharia Court has not overturned the child marriage law in Sindh, which has been in effect for over a decade.

After extensive debate, the bill was put to a vote. Senators from JUI-F walked out in protest, while the remaining members of the Senate unanimously passed the bill.

The session was adjourned, and the next meeting will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday.