Fazl warns of protest over marriage bill

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has strongly condemned the bill banning child marriage and warned of taking to the streets if the bill is not withdrawn.

Speaking during the National Assembly session on Monday, Fazl said this is a time to promote national unity and solidarity, yet the government is pushing a controversial bill.

"A bill has been introduced to prohibit marriages of individuals under eighteen years of age. Was this the right time to bring such a bill? Now, if I oppose it, people will question my stance. National unity demands such actions should not be taken," he said.

The Senate on Monday passed a bill proscribing marriage of children—people less than 18 years of age. Calling on the NA speaker for a ruling against the bill, the JUI-F chief said the government should not force the party to come out on the streets.

He suggested that the legislation be halted and sent to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) for review, adding, "If they have no objection, I will also not oppose it." Fazl stated that the entire country and parliament are united in the belief that India committed aggression by launching attacks inside Pakistan between May 6 and May 10.

Referring to the April 22 Pahalgam incident, he said India, without investigation, blamed Pakistan for the attack in which 26 Indian nationals were killed and shifted the burden of its security failure onto Pakistan.

"Our civilian and religious sites were targeted with missiles. Mosques and nearby families were hit under the claim of attacking terrorist hideouts," he said.

Fazl said the Pakistani establishment and military have acknowledged that a nation cannot fight a war without public support. "India not only accused us but also initiated the attack, and the way Pakistan's armed forces responded will be remembered in history."

The JUI chief saluted the Pakistan Army for their defense efforts, saying that although a ceasefire has been reached, it is crucial to preserve national unity.