President Asif Zardari signs Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2025

ISLAMABAD: The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari on Friday signed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025, making 18 years the legal age for marriage despite strong opposition from religious parties.

According to the bill, the marriage registrar will be bound not to register the marriage of a child under the age of 18.

The person performing the marriage ceremony will ensure the presence of computerized identity cards of both parties before performing or registering the marriage.

If anyone does not comply with the new rules, one year of imprisonment or a fine of one lakh rupees or both will be imposed for registering or performing the marriage without providing information.

Additionally, under this new bill, marrying a girl under the age of 18 has also been declared a crime. The punishment for marriage of a man over the age of 18 to a minor girl has also been fixed.

If a man older in age tries to marry a minor girl, he will serve a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 3 years of imprisonment with hard labor. A fine will also be imposed for marriage to a minor girl.

Moreover, Intimate intercourse with a minor as a result of marriage with or without consent of a minor child will be considered rape. A person who induces, compels, incites or coerces a minor bride or groom to marry is also considered rape.