The Senate on Monday passed the Islamabad Capital Territory Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill 2025 with consensus from present members, while senators belonging to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) staged a walkout in protest against the legislation, terming it inconsistent with Islamic values.

The session, chaired by Acting Senate Chairman Syedal Khan, witnessed heated debate as PPP Senator Sherry Rehman presented the bill, which aims to prevent underage marriages in the federal capital. She stressed the need for legislation by citing alarming maternal mortality rates among adolescent girls. “Girls as young as 16 become mothers, and many die during childbirth,” she said. “This bill was first unanimously passed by the Senate in 2013.”

Opposing the bill, JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza argued that the legislation conflicts with the Islamic system and should be referred to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). Senator Maulana Attaur Rehman also strongly objected, warning that granting underage individuals the right to choose their partners without parental consent would resemble European societal norms. “If this bill is passed without consultation, JUI-F will walk out,” he declared.

Responding to the objections, Senator Rubina Khalid pointed out that the bill had already been approved by the Sindh Assembly and cleared by the Islamic Ideology Council. “These lawmakers don’t visit rural areas, where minor girls are routinely married off. This law protects children’s rights,” she stated.

Lahore High Court: Biological fathers must support children born out of rape or wedlock

PTI Senator Dost Muhammad Khan and Senator Aimal Wali Khan supported the call to refer the bill to the CII. Senator Aimal emphasised that the Islamic principle of marriage is based on bulugh (maturity), not age. He also cautioned against blindly following Western practices. He said that we must bring laws against forced marriages instead of mimicking the West.

Senator Khalil Tahir Sindhu challenged religious objections by stating, “Show me one Muslim country other than Pakistan where marriage under the age of 18 is legal.” He was supported by Senator Farooq H. Naek, who questioned whether there is a defined age of maturity in Islam and clarified that Pakistan’s legal framework defines a minor as someone under 18.

Other senators offered personal reflections: Senator Naseema Ehsan shared her own experience of being married at 13, calling the bill a necessary step forward. “Not every household is like mine. This is about protecting girls,” she said.

Senator Samina Mumtaz added that child marriage is a “sin,” noting that even countries like Egypt prohibit it. Senator Sarwar Ali noted that Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, has also legally set 18 as the minimum marriage age.

UAE reveals new family laws impacting marriages and individual rights

Maulana Attaur Rehman cited religious traditions regarding the age of marriage of Hazrat Aisha (RA), presenting varying narrations from Islamic texts. However, Senator Sherry Rehman argued that the state has the right to define age limits in the public interest and reminded the House that the Federal Shariat Court has not struck down the Sindh child marriage law that has been in force for over a decade.

Following prolonged debate, the bill was put to a vote. As JUI-F senators walked out of the chamber in protest, the rest of the House passed the bill unanimously.

The session was adjourned until Thursday morning at 10:30 AM.