13 Jun 2025

Pakistan takes step to end child marriage as calls grow for national reform

Pakistan’s new child marriage ban in Islamabad is a major step towards ending modern slavery and protecting children’s rights, signed into law by President Asif Ali Zardari.

Tahira Abdullah, a human rights activist, speaks during a demonstration by ‘Aurat March’ group to mark the International Women’s Day in Islamabad on March 8, 2025. Photo Credit: FAROOQ NAEEM / Contributor via Getty Images.

Pakistan has passed a landmark law outlawing child marriage in the Islamabad Capital Territory, setting a powerful legal precedent for the rest of the country.

The new law sets the minimum legal age for marriage at 18 and introduces penalties for those who arrange or facilitate underage marriages.

The move comes after years of advocacy by survivors, civil society, and lawmakers pushing for stronger protections for children.

While the law currently only applies to Pakistan’s federal capital, it is seen as a powerful precedent for nationwide reform.

Why banning child marriage is critical to ending modern slavery

In many cases, child marriage leads to lifelong exploitation.

Girls may be denied the chance to complete their education, develop skills, or earn a living, leaving them economically dependent and exposed to more abuse.

The new law strengthens protections for children in Islamabad and aligns with international human rights standards.

President Zardari and lawmakers defend the law as a moral and legal imperative

“This law is not just about banning child marriage. It is a declaration that our girls deserve the right to childhood, to education, to health, and to a life free from coercion and harm,” said Senator Sherry Rehman, who announced the bill’s enactment on social media.

“It is a message to every family, every school, and every policymaker that Pakistan’s children matter.”

The legislation faced resistance from some religious groups. However, legal experts and rights advocates pointed to a 2023 Federal Shariat Court ruling declaring that setting the minimum marriage age at 18 is consistent with Islamic rulings.

Inconsistent child marriage laws across Pakistan highlight the urgent need for national reform

Pakistan’s laws on child marriage have long been fragmented, with legal age limits differing across provinces.

While Sindh set the minimum age at 18 in 2013, other provinces still allow girls to marry as young as 16 under customary or religious practices.

The new law in the federal capital does not automatically apply nationwide, but it creates renewed momentum for consistent child protection laws across the country.

What the Pakistani government must do to address modern slavery

Walk Free urges the government of Pakistan to prioritise national reforms that uphold the rights of children and address modern slavery. These include:

Criminalise commercial sexual exploitation of children in line with international conventions.
Increase the legal age of marriage for both males and females to 18 years without exceptions nationwide.
Strengthen legal assistance and long-term support for survivors to prevent re-traumatisation during criminal proceedings.