Senator Sherry Rehman has lauded the signing into law of the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025 as a landmark moment in Pakistan’s legislative history. The bill, which prohibits child marriages under the age of 18 in Islamabad, was signed by President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday after passing through both Houses of Parliament.
“This is a milestone in Pakistan’s long and difficult journey toward protecting the rights of children—especially girls,” said Senator Rehman. “Despite resistance from various quarters, President Zardari signed this important bill into law. His action speaks volumes about the political will to drive real reform.”
Senator Rehman emphasized that this was not just a piece of legislation but a party-led commitment long championed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). “This has been a PPP bill, one that we have been pursuing for a long time. I especially want to thank President Asif Ali Zardari for his unwavering leadership, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for his consistent support for progressive reforms, and Senator Sehar Kamran who was the first to introduce this bill in the Senate. I also commend MNA Sharmila Faruqi for tabling it in the National Assembly and carrying it forward with determination,” she said.
“This bill is against the atrocities committed against young girls,” Senator Rehman declared. “Girls under the age of 18, when married off, often die during childbirth. We cannot ignore these silent funerals anymore.”
Citing the UNFPA Annual Report 2024, she underscored that “Every 50 minutes, a woman in Pakistan dies from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth. Much of this is directly attributable to underage marriage, where girls have no agency over their nutrition, their health, or even the fate of the children they bear,” she added.
Senator Rehman issued a strong statement: “A person under the age of 18 is not even granted a driving licence, how is it possible to allow them to get married?”
“In Pakistan, “juvenile crime” refers to offenses committed by individuals under the age of 18. The Juvenile Justice System Act (JJSA) 2018 defines a “juvenile” as a child who has not attained the age of 18 and can be dealt with differently than an adult for an offence. Then how can an individual under 18 be considered as a mature person who can get married?”
Senator Rehman further added, “Pakistan has the second-highest infant mortality rate in Asia, with 50.10 deaths per 1,000 live births (World Bank). Over 40% of children under five are stunted due to malnutrition, often a result of young mothers lacking education and health access.”
“This is a statistic of shame. We cannot allow inaction to stand in the way of justice for our girls.”
The bill, formally titled Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025, aims to protect children from harmful practices and bring Pakistan’s legal framework in line with its international commitments, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Senator Rehman underscored the broader significance of this legislative victory: “This law is not just about banning child marriage. It is a declaration that our girls deserve the right to childhood, to education, to health, and to a life free from coercion and harm. It is a message to every family, every school, and every policymaker that Pakistan’s children matter.”
Acknowledging cross-party cooperation, Senator Rehman thanked members of the opposition, civil society, and the broader public who supported the bill. “This is a shared victory—for the Parliament, for the people of Pakistan, and most importantly, for our children,” she added.
Senator Rehman also called on the provinces to follow Islamabad’s lead. “It is now time for the provinces to take meaningful steps towards similar legislation. We cannot allow geography to determine the fate of a child. Protection must be universal.”
The passage of this bill marks a watershed moment in the country’s legal reform efforts, representing a broader commitment to upholding human rights and ensuring a safer, more equitable future for all children in Pakistan.