In a major move, the National Assembly passed a bill to ban child marriages in Islamabad. The bill, introduced by MNA Sharmila Faruqui, was approved unanimously. It was not on the original agenda but was taken up by suspending regular rules. Once it becomes law, the bill will apply only to Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). Only a district and sessions court can hear such cases.
The bill clearly states that no one under 18 can get married. It also says that no Nikah registrar can register such a marriage. Both parties must have valid CNICs showing their date of birth. Anyone who breaks this law can face up to one year in jail, a fine of Rs100,000, or both. If the person proves they thought it wasn’t a child marriage, they may be excused.
The law gets stricter for adult men marrying minors. Men above 18 who marry children can be jailed for two to three years. They will also face a heavy fine. Any cohabitation from such marriage will be treated as child abuse. Those who force, trick, or pressure a child into such acts can get five to seven years in prison. They will also pay a fine of at least Rs1 million.
Parents and guardians who allow or ignore child marriage will also face jail. They can get two to three years in prison and a fine. The bill allows courts to stop a child marriage before it happens. If someone reports it, even secretly, the court must protect their identity.
This bill replaces the old Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929 in Islamabad. It aims to stop early marriages and protect children’s rights. Lawmakers praised the step as a big win for human rights, especially for girls. The bill also supports global efforts to end child marriage by 2030.