President Asif Ali Zardari has signed the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill into law
In a landmark cross that promises to shape the destiny of tens of thousands of children, President Asif Ali Zardari has signed the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill into law. The landmark legislation sets 18 as the minimum criminal age of marriage within the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), another milestone in Pakistan’s ongoing battle against infant marriage.
The endorsement of this consignment is no longer merely a felony milestone it is a statement. A declaration that the country will not forget anymore the misery of underage women forced into early marriages, often at the expense of their education, health, and liberty.
Human Rights Victory Over Resistance
In spite of strong opposition from positive spiritual groups, the bill efficiently pushed through each houses of Parliament. Legislators united in presenting the challenge as one of human rights instead of non secular interpretation, emphasizing the country’s commitment to international standards on infant welfare.
“This rule is no longer against religion. It is for the protection of our children,” reiterated one MP throughout the fiery debates. That simplicity framing the rule as a guardian of childhood as a substitute rather than an insult to tradition served to build the energy necessary to bring it thru to enactment.
Empowering Girls, Saving Generations
Rights activists for children and gender activists have welcomed this change as a great success. For many years, early marriage has denied younger women in Pakistan their aspirations and prospects. Without limited access to education, health care, and autonomy, their futures have been routinely closed off before they reached adulthood.
This law is a giant leap in the direction of turning that around.
This isn’t just about setting an age,” said a representative of a reputable toddler advocacy organization. “It’s about saving lives. It’s about ensuring every single woman has a risk to grow, to learn, to flourish.”
Impact Beyond Islamabad
Although currently applicable only to the federal enclave of Islamabad, the expectation among activists and politicians is that this law sets an example for the rest of the country to follow. A few provinces still do not have uniform legal codes banning child marriage or have loopholes that permit exceptions under religious or customary practices.
Now that Islamabad leads the way, pressure is building on other areas to fall into line with swimsuit and follow the federal line on toddler safeguarding.
The Road Ahead: From Law to Implementation
Even as the law’s enactment is truly worthy of celebration, the real quintessential part will be its enforcement. Solid enforcement tools, awareness campaigns, and support frameworks for vulnerable families are essential in order to ensure that this prison trade translates into actual-life effect.
Government institutions, civil society, and global partners should unite to educate communities, empower law enforcement, and show compliance in an effective way.
A Turning Point in Pakistan’s Social Landscape
The bill signing of the Child Marriage Restraint Bill into law is a turning point in Pakistan’s human rights history. It’s a bold statement that protecting children and especially girls is no longer a choice. This legislative action gives a new experience of hope that Pakistan is moving toward a future where every single tot has the right to a protected, educated, and empowered existence.
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