Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s announcement to protest against the child marriage bill has sparked widespread debate across Pakistan, particularly on social media. The controversy follows President Asif Ali Zardari’s signing of the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill into law on Friday, which sets the minimum age for marriage at 18 years. The legislation criminalises the solemnisation of marriages involving underage boys or girls, marking a significant move in the effort to safeguard children’s rights.
In a swift reaction, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced a nationwide protest on Saturday against the government’s newly enacted legislation. He argued that the bill “contradicts Islamic teachings and threatens Pakistan’s religious identity,” framing the law as a direct challenge to the country’s ideological foundations.
Public response has been sharp and critical. Many users on social media questioned why religious leaders would oppose a bill focused on child protection. Numerous commentators pointed out that such groups have historically remained silent on issues of child abuse, but are now actively resisting a law aimed at curbing child marriage. One user remarked that “these groups have never protested against child abuse but are enraged by the child marriage bill.”
Others stressed the need to push back against religious conservatives using faith as justification for harmful practices. Several social media users called for counter-protests from progressive and rational segments of society, arguing that allowing religious opposition to dominate the conversation could embolden regressive interpretations and further endanger children’s rights.
Under the new law, violators face up to one year in prison and a fine of Rs100,000. In cases where an adult male marries an underage girl, the punishment could be as severe as three years of rigorous imprisonment. The legislation also grants courts the authority to intervene and protect the identities of those reporting such cases, reinforcing its intent to shield vulnerable children from exploitation.
Despite these protections, the bill has encountered staunch resistance from religious political parties and the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) strongly condemned the CII’s stance, accusing it of attempting to obstruct crucial child protection measures and undermining progress on fundamental human rights.
Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Fazl claimed the legislation was shaped by international influence. “Pakistan’s identity is Islam, and that identity is under threat,” he said, warning that the bill undermines the country’s core values. Fazl further alleged that the law was created to appease global organisations. “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.
He went on to characterise the legislation as a violation of Islamic teachings. “Democracy is losing its case, and such actions are empowering the narratives of armed groups,” Fazl warned, asserting that the bill weakens democratic institutions and could foster extremism by alienating religious factions.
The unfolding debate over the child marriage bill underscores the broader conflict between progressive legal reform and deeply entrenched conservative ideologies in Pakistan. While the law aims to protect the health, well-being, and future of young Pakistanis, the political backlash reveals the challenges of navigating reform in a context where religion and politics remain tightly intertwined.
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