Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s announcement to protest against the child marriage bill has sparked widespread discussion online.
President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday signed the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill into law, setting the minimum age for marriage at 18 years.
The new legislation criminalises the solemnisation of marriages where either the boy or girl is underage.
In response, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday announced a nationwide protest against the government’s proposed legislation aimed at restricting child marriages, arguing that the bill contradicts Islamic teachings and threatens Pakistan’s religious identity.
Many users criticised the move, questioning why such a stance was being taken on an issue concerning child protection.
Numerous users criticised religious leaders for opposing a law aimed at protecting minors. One user remarked that these groups have never protested against child abuse but are enraged by the child marriage bill.
READ MORE: NA passes bill criminalising child marriage
Photo: ScreenGrab
Photo: ScreenGrab
Others emphasised the importance of confronting religious conservatives who are using religion to justify child marriages, warning that failure to resist would only embolden such views further.
Several voices on social media called for organised counter-protests by the rational and progressive segments of society to stand up against the protesters opposing the bill.
Photo: ScreenGrab
Users argued that defending children’s rights should be a non-negotiable priority and expressed strong support for the new law, highlighting that early marriage often leads to severe health, psychological, and social consequences for children, especially girls.
READ MORE: Child marriages plague impoverished girls
Under the new law that banned the underage marriage of boys and girls alike, violators face up to one year in prison and a fine of Rs100,000, while a man over 18 marrying an underage girl may face rigorous imprisonment of up to three years. Courts are also empowered to intervene and protect the identities of those reporting such cases.
Despite the bill’s clear intent to safeguard children from exploitation, it has faced fierce opposition from religious political parties and the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) .
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) strongly criticised the CII for raising objections to the recently passed Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, calling the move a serious attempt to hinder vital child protection legislation.
READ MORE: CII takes exception to child marriage bill
Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Fazl claimed the proposed law is being influenced by foreign agendas. “Pakistan’s identity is Islam, and that identity is under threat,” he said, warning that the bill undermines the country’s core values.
Fazl accused the government of drafting the legislation based on demands from international bodies like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United Nations (UN), rather than adhering to Islamic principles.
“The UN's stance is being used to pass laws against early-age marriages. The President is also refusing to sign the religious seminaries bill,” he added.
The JUI-F leader criticised the proposed law as violating the Quran and Sunnah, asserting that such moves weaken democratic processes and inadvertently strengthen extremist narratives.
“Democracy is losing its case, and such actions are empowering the narratives of armed groups,” Fazl warned.
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