Written by Habiba Nazir She was just 14 when her childhood ended. Ayesha, a bright and inquisitive schoolgirl from a village close to Muzaff...
Written by Habiba Nazir
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She was just 14 when her childhood ended. Ayesha, a bright and inquisitive schoolgirl from a village close to Muzaffargarh, loved to read and aspired to teach. However, those aspirations were dashed when her parents arranged for her to marry a man twice her age, whom they felt would "protect" her future and relieve their financial burden. After being made to drop out of school, Ayesha became pregnant. She experienced problems that would last a lifetime because her body, which was still developing, was unable to withstand the stress of childbirth. Her husband and in-laws verbally and physically abused her, but she had no one to turn to. In the name of poverty, tradition, and family honour, her voice was silenced. Unfortunately, her story is not an isolated one in Pakistan. There are numerous accounts of minor girls being forcibly married off, similar to Ayesha's.
But there are moments in a country's history when law rises above tradition to champion justice and dignity. The passage of the Child Marriage Restriction Act 2025 in Islamabad was one such moment, a critical step forward in protecting the rights and futures of countless girls like Ayesha.
The burden of early marriage has weighed heavily on Pakistani girls for far too long, forcing them to drop out of school, give up their dreams, and assume adult responsibilities before they are even old enough to cast ballots. Because they are born into a tradition that tells them their value is tied to marriage rather than their minds or ambitions. Thousands of children are deprived of their right to childhood every year. However, the state has taken a brave and vital stance with this law: no child, regardless of gender, should get married before turning 18.
The Harsh Reality of Child Marriage
In many families, child marriage is seen as a way out of poverty, a response to social pressure, or a means of preserving imagined honour. But in truth, it forces a child into a life she is neither physically nor emotionally prepared for.
Let’s be honest: no little girl dreams of managing a household, bearing children, or pleasing in-laws. She dreams of playing with friends, solving math problems, and building a future. Marriage, with all its responsibilities and demands, strips her of that future far too soon.
Child marriage often leads to being permanently removed from school, pregnancy before the body is ready, verbal, physical, or sexual abuse with little means of escape, and a lifetime of decisions made by others, not herself
What the Law Says: And Why It Matters
The Child Marriage Restriction Act 2025, passed in Islamabad Capital Territory, clearly prohibits the marriage of anyone under 18 years of age, regardless of gender. It marks a historic shift from vague enforcement to real, enforceable penalties:
Adults who marry a child under 18 can face up to 5 years of imprisonment and heavy fines ranging from Rs. 200,000 to Rs. 500,000.
Nikah registrars, clerics, or religious figures who solemnize such marriages are also criminally liable, facing 3 years of imprisonment and license cancellation.
Parents or guardians who knowingly allow or facilitate a child’s marriage can be prosecuted, with punishments including fines and jail time.
Most significantly, sexual activity with a minor, regardless of marital status, is now classified as statutory rape, punishable under relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The law finally recognizes that protection is just as important as punishment. It aims to deter, penalize, and prevent child marriages while affirming the bodily autonomy and safety of children.
What Was the Legal Landscape Prior to This?
Before this act, the law in Pakistan was a patchwork of inconsistent provincial statutes. The Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929, inherited from colonial rule, set the minimum age of marriage at 16 for girls and 18 for boys, with minimal penalties (often a mere Rs. 1,000 fine or brief imprisonment).
Only Sindh had passed a progressive law in 2014 raising the minimum age for girls to 18. Other provinces, including Punjab, KP, and Balochistan, failed to follow suit. In Islamabad, the 1929 Act remained the default until now.
The 2025 Act finally replaces this outdated framework with clear age limits and strict penalties, aligning the law with international human rights standards.
The Numbers Speak Loudly
The urgency of this law becomes even clearer when we look at the numbers:
- According to UNICEF, 18% of Pakistani girls are married before age 18, and 4% before age 15.
- Pakistan ranks 6th in the world for the number of child brides.
- A study by Girls Not Brides found that over 21,000 girls in Pakistan are forced into marriage every year.
- Child brides are more likely to suffer domestic violence and three times more likely to experience childbirth complications.
- Girls who marry young are twice as likely to drop out of school, and their chances of attending college drop by over 60%.
These are not just statistics, they are shattered lives, broken dreams, and futures cut short.
Let Kids Be Kids. Let Their Dreams Take Flight.
When a girl is still learning algebra, she shouldn't have to worry about giving birth. She shouldn't be scared of a husband twice her age; she should feel secure at home. Instead of cooking for her in-laws, she ought to be in a school. Childhood is valuable and cannot be replaced once it is lost.
This law is a pledge to Pakistan's children that we will allow them to enjoy their childhood. That we view them as individuals with potential, worth, and rights rather than as liabilities or burdens.
The Potential Impact of This Law
This law is not just about legal protection on paper, it could change lives at every level. By setting a nationwide precedent, it could:
- Reduce school drop-out rates among girls
- Lower maternal and infant mortality linked to early pregnancy
- Improve educational and economic outcomes for families and communities
- Encourage greater reporting of underage marriages and abuse
- Shift the public narrative around what is acceptable for children
When enforced properly, this law will not only protect children from harm but also create a more just, equal, and hopeful society.
Pakistan Is At Last Overtaking
Pakistan fell behind for years. In 2014, Sindh outlawed child marriage for those under the age of 18, but other provinces did not follow the suit. Civil society continued to speak up. We were repeatedly reminded of our commitments under SDG 5.3, CEDAW, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by international organisations.
Islamabad is listening now. This law demonstrates that we are at last prioritising children and brings Pakistan into compliance with the international standard.
However, it can't end here. Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab must come next. The same protection should be given to children in Quetta and Karachi.
Legal Reforms Matter, But Empathy Matters Too
While the law is a good place to start, we also need to:
We need a culture that views girls as people to be invested in rather than as someone to be married off.
A New Dawn for Our Daughters
Politics and legislation are not the only factors at play here. It concerns actual kids. Daughters who laugh when they are tickled. Who aspire to become doctors, lawyers, or artists in the future. Who are worthy of falling in love when they're ready, not when society deems them disposable.
We see you, says this law, we'll keep you safe, we have faith in your future.
Let's rejoice, but don't relax. Let’s demand more. Let's hold our communities, courts, and leaders to higher standards. Pakistan should be a place where girls can be girls, not brides.
Because "I was married before I knew what love meant" should never have to be said by a child again.
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