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ISLAMABAD, Oct 30 (APP): Minister of State for Law and Justice, Barrister Aqeel Malik, delivered the concluding remarks at the International Conference on “Age of Marriage Legislations in Muslim Countries: Best Practices and Lessons Learnt”, organized by the Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy (PODA) in collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Embassy.
Barrister Aqeel Malik appreciated the organizers and noted that the conference brought together insightful perspectives and experiences from Muslim-majority countries including Bangladesh, Morocco, Egypt, and Indonesia, highlighting a shared understanding that the protection and empowerment of girls are integral to both Islamic principles and global human rights standards.
The Minister of State underscored that Pakistan has taken significant legislative steps to safeguard children from early and forced marriages. He referred to the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929 as the foundation for such efforts, followed by progressive reforms such as the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2013 and the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2025, which established 18 years as the minimum legal age of marriage.
He further noted that the Christian Marriage (Amendment) Act, 2024 raised the legal age of marriage for both men and women to 18 years, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to equality, justice, and the protection of all citizens irrespective of faith.
Barrister Malik emphasized the importance of achieving uniformity in marriage laws across all provinces, in line with Pakistan’s constitutional guarantees and obligations under international human rights treaties such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
Highlighting the broader social implications of early marriage, he remarked that early unions deprive girls of education, perpetuate poverty, and increase health risks. He stated that Islam views marriage as a sacred covenant based on maturity, consent, and responsibility; values that align with the protection of children’s rights and human dignity.
Barrister Aqeel Malik reaffirmed the Government’s determination to work with provincial governments to harmonize laws, strengthen enforcement, and raise awareness to end early marriage.
He concluded that protecting children from early marriage is both a legal and moral responsibility, and a vital investment in the future of the nation.