ISLAMABAD — In a move that has sparked intense debate over the intersection of religion and human rights, Pakistan’s Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has declared a newly passed law criminalizing child marriage in the federal capital as “un-Islamic” has reported Arab News.
The National Assembly unanimously approved the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill on Friday. The legislation, introduced by Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Sharmila Faruqui, aims to curb widespread underage marriages and protect children—particularly girls—from being thrust into early motherhood and its associated risks.
Once signed into law by the president, the bill will raise the minimum legal age for marriage to 18 for both men and women in Islamabad, replacing a colonial-era law that set the age at 16 for girls and 18 for boys. Under the new provisions, anyone involved in facilitating or coercing child marriages—including family members, clerics, and registrars—could face prison sentences of up to seven years. Additionally, sexual relations involving minors will be considered statutory rape regardless of consent, with adult males found guilty facing up to three years in jail.
However, the Council of Islamic Ideology, a constitutional body tasked with advising the government on whether proposed laws align with Islamic principles, issued a statement following its 243rd session on May 27–28 rejecting key clauses of the bill.
“The bill introduced by Madam Sharmila Faruqui … has been declared un-Islamic,” the CII said in a written statement. It specifically objected to setting a fixed minimum age for marriage and labeling unions under 18 as child abuse and punishable offenses.
The council’s ruling comes amid growing concerns about the prevalence of child marriage in Pakistan. According to a 2018 demographic survey, 29% of girls in the country are married before the age of 18, with 4% wed before turning 15. Boys are also affected, though to a lesser extent—5% marry before 18, according to Girls Not Brides , a global partnership working to end child marriage.
Child rights advocates warn that underage brides often drop out of school, face increased risk of domestic violence, and suffer serious health complications. Early pregnancies are especially dangerous, increasing the likelihood of maternal death, obstetric fistulas, and sexually transmitted infections.
Despite these dangers, cultural norms and economic pressures continue to drive the practice in many communities. Some families see marriage as a way to secure their daughters’ futures or reduce financial burdens, while others cite religious traditions to justify the custom.
Human rights organizations have urged lawmakers not to back down in the face of religious opposition. They argue that protecting children is a moral imperative, and that modern interpretations of Islam must evolve to reflect contemporary understandings of human dignity and development.
The passage of the bill in Islamabad marks a significant step toward addressing the issue at the national level, but its future may now depend on how the federal government responds to the Council of Islamic Ideology’s objections.
As the debate unfolds, the voices of young girls like Shamila and Salma Zameer—monsoon brides photographed in Dadu district’s Khan Muhammad Mallah village in August 2024—serve as a stark reminder of the lives hanging in the balance.
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