“It is he who made us; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.”
Morningstar News reported that on May 29, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari signed a new law banning child marriage in the Islamabad Capital Territory. The “Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025” officially took effect after being passed by the National Assembly and receiving the president’s final approval. The law sets the minimum legal age for marriage at 18 for both males and females.
Under the law, marriage to anyone under 18 is considered statutory rape. A nikah (Islamic marriage) officiant who conducts such a marriage can face up to one year in prison and a fine of 100,000 Pakistani rupees. If an adult male marries a minor girl, he may be sentenced to up to three years in prison.
The bill was introduced by Senator Sherry Rehman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and passed the National Assembly on May 16, followed by the Senate on May 19. Rehman called the law “the result of a long struggle to protect the rights of women and children” and hailed it as “a symbol of reform in Pakistan.” She also praised President Zardari for signing the bill despite pressure from Islamist groups.
One of the bill’s key provisions is the mandatory verification of age through the National Identity Card (CNIC) before marriage, with penalties for officiants who fail to comply. However, the bill has faced strong opposition from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) and the Islamist party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F).
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed its support, saying the law aligns with Pakistan’s constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards. It added, “Framing child protection as incompatible with religion undermines children’s rights and reflects a deeply flawed interpretation of Islamic teachings.”
Christian human rights activists have also welcomed the law. Lawyer Lazar Ala Raka stated, “Although this bill only applies to Islamabad, it paves the way for similar legislation in Punjab, where Christian girls are frequently kidnapped, forcibly converted, and married.” A similar bill is currently pending before the CII in Punjab, and activists are hopeful it will soon come to a vote.
Currently, Punjab allows marriage at age 16 for Muslim girls, though Christians set the age at 18. However, if a Christian girl is forcibly converted to Islam, she can be married at a younger age. Numerous cases involve girls under 10 being kidnapped, converted, and sexually assaulted under the guise of Islamic marriage. Courts often ignore documentation of the victims’ ages and return them to their abductors. (Source: Gospel Prayer Newspaper)
Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his ; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalms 100:3-4)
God, we thank You for the bold decision of the Pakistani president in signing this new law that bans underage marriage, bringing hope in a nation where Islamic law has often justified such injustice and where children’s rights have been ignored. We pray that You would rebuke the wicked who exploit religion for their own greed. Let similar laws be passed in other regions, especially where young girls suffer from forced conversion, marriage, and abuse. In a land where the light of truth and justice is scarce, raise up Your church to boldly proclaim Your sovereignty and goodness. Let those living in darkness come to know You and glorify Your name.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
