President Asif Ali Zardari has officially signed the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill into law. This is a major step toward stopping child marriages in Pakistan.
The new law sets the minimum legal age for marriage at 18 years. It is designed to protect the rights of children, especially girls, by preventing them from being forced into early marriages.
Even though the bill faced strong resistance from some religious groups, it was passed by both the National Assembly and the Senate. Lawmakers explained that this is not a religious issue, but a human rights matter. They argued that child marriage can seriously harm a child’s health, education, and future.
Supporters of the law, including many activists and civil society members, praised the decision. They believe this law will help more girls stay in school, avoid early pregnancies, and live healthier, safer lives. Many called it a big win for the rights of children and women in Pakistan.
This law only applies within the Islamabad Capital Territory, but many hope it will encourage other provinces to follow the same path and raise the minimum marriage age as well.
By passing this law, Pakistan is also taking a positive step toward meeting international commitments to protect children’s rights and promote gender equality.
The government now plans to raise awareness and ensure the law is enforced properly so that no child is married before turning 18.
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