President Zardari signs law banning child marriages

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday gave his assent to the Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025, turning it into law and officially setting the minimum legal age for marriage in Pakistan at 18.

Under the new law, no Nikah khuwan (marriage registrar) can officiate a marriage if either the bride or groom is under 18. Violators may face up to one year in jail and a fine of Rs100,000.

The law also targets adult men who marry underage girls. If convicted, they could face up to three years of rigorous imprisonment.

Courts have been empowered to block any underage marriage once informed. Whistleblowers can request anonymity, and the court must ensure their protection.

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The child marriage restraint bill was first introduced by PPP MNA Sharmila Faruqui in the National Assembly and later tabled in the Senate by Senator Sherry Rehman.

Despite strong pushback from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), which declared the bill “un-Islamic,” the legislation moved forward and passed.

Pakistan ranks sixth globally for the highest number of child brides. Around 19 million girls in the country were married before turning 18, with nearly half of them becoming mothers while still underage.