The National Assembly has unanimously approved a bill aimed at outlawing child marriages, setting 18 as the minimum legal age for marriage across Pakistan, according to a report by ARY News.
Under the new legislation, any marriage involving individuals below the age of 18 will be considered a criminal offense. Marriage registrars are now required to verify the national identity cards of both the bride and groom before performing or registering the marriage.
Failure to follow this verification process could result in a one-year prison sentence, a fine of PKR 100,000, or both.
The law introduces stringent penalties for those involved in underage marriages. Men over 18 who marry a girl under 18 will face two to three years of rigorous imprisonment, along with financial penalties.
The bill classifies child marriage as a form of abuse, holding accountable not only those who enter into such unions but also anyone who pressures or encourages minors to marry. Facilitating a child’s marriage can result in a sentence of five to seven years in prison and a fine of up to PKR 1 million.
Parents or guardians who arrange or support the marriage of minors will face three years of rigorous imprisonment and monetary fines. Similarly, those who employ or provide shelter to a child for marriage may be imprisoned for up to three years and fined.
Additionally, transporting a child for marriage is now considered child trafficking, a cognizable offense punishable by five to seven years in prison and heavy fines.