The Balochistan Assembly passed a new law yesterday banning underage marriage across the province. The legislation defines a child as anyone under 18 years of age.
Under the new law, anyone entering into a child marriage contract will face strict punishment. Offenders may be imprisoned for two to three years and fined between Rs100,000 and Rs300,000.
The law also penalizes those who facilitate, encourage, or arrange underage marriage. Such individuals can face the same imprisonment and fines, reinforcing the government’s commitment to curb child marriages.
Underage marriage remains a significant issue in Pakistan, often fueled by poverty, traditional practices, and cultural norms. Legal age requirements vary across provinces, creating inconsistencies in enforcement.
Federal law, under the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929, originally set the minimum age for females at 16 and for males at 18. Recent provincial legislation, however, has strengthened protections for children, particularly girls.
Earlier this year, despite objections from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), President Asif Zardari approved the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Child Marriage Restraint Bill. This made the federal capital and Sindh the only regions where marriage under 18 is prohibited for both genders.
The Balochistan law aligns the province with these federal protections, marking a significant step toward protecting children from exploitation and ensuring their rights. Authorities hope the legislation will reduce early marriages and improve education and health outcomes for children.
Officials emphasized the importance of public awareness campaigns alongside the law to change social attitudes and prevent underage marriage from continuing in rural and urban areas.
With Balochistan joining Sindh and ICT, Pakistan is gradually creating a more uniform legal framework to combat child marriages and safeguard children’s rights across the country.
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