Civil society organizations and child rights advocates have welcomed the passage of the ICT Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2025 by Pakistan’s National Assembly and Senate, calling it a landmark step for children’s rights. The new law sets 18 as the minimum legal age of marriage for both boys and girls in the Islamabad Capital Territory, aligning with Pakistan’s international commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Iftikhar Mubarik of Search for Justice called the move timely, noting it could encourage provinces like Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to follow suit—while Sindh had already passed similar legislation in 2013.
Rashida Qureshi of CAN Pakistan praised the law as a milestone against harmful traditions and a boost for girls’ right to education. Mudasser Ahmed of the Child Rights Movement urged Punjab to expedite its own child marriage bill, citing positive trends in early marriage reduction.
Legal expert Ahmar Majeed emphasized that the law ensures gender equality and mandates age verification through CNICs, barring underage marriages.
Civil society groups now call on all provinces to act swiftly and enact similar protections—ensuring no child is forced into marriage, regardless of gender or location.
