Achieving a significant step forward for child rights in Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari this week signed into law a bill criminalizing child marriage in the federal capital territory after resisting mounting opposition from certain religious groups.
The progressive move sends a clear message: the protection of Pakistan’s children is not up for compromise.
Child marriage remains one of the gravest violations of children’s rights in Pakistan, with thousands of underage girls forced into marriage each year. Zardari’s assent to the law tabled by parliamentarians of his Pakistan Peoples Party not only ensures the rights of children, but also aligns Pakistan with a growing number of Islamic nations with strong legal stances against child marriage, proving religion and the rights of children need not be at odds.
Countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, and Turkey have long outlawed child marriage, setting the minimum age of marriage at 18. Even Saudi Arabia issued a royal decree in 2019 banning individuals under 18 to marry without the approval of a specialized court. The adoption of the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025, is a golden opportunity for Pakistan to shed its troubling global image on child rights.
For too long, the country has drawn criticism for its leniency toward child marriage, which not only robs children—particularly girls—of their future but also perpetuates cycles of poverty, abuse, and illiteracy. Islamabad’s new law must not remain an isolated achievement, but rather it should serve as the foundation for a national transformation.
Those opposing the bill, citing religious or cultural justifications, must understand that safeguarding the well-being of children is not a foreign or un-Islamic concept. Islamic teachings emphasize compassion, justice, and the protection of the vulnerable. The insistence on preserving harmful customs under the guise of tradition not only hinders progress, but sullies Pakistan’s reputation on the international stage.
Zardari’s principled stance deserves appreciation. It reflects leadership, integrity, and a commitment to the future of Pakistan’s children. It is now the responsibility of provinces to follow suit, enacting similar laws nationwide. Anything less would be a disservice to the nation’s youth and an affront to Pakistan’s aspirations of being a just and progressive society.