Sindh Assembly passes bill declaring marriage below 18 punishable by law

[Da Bannu Mazdigar]

KARACHI: The Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act 2013 was passed in the provincial assembly on Monday, declaring marriage below the age of 18 punishable by law, Express News reported.

According to the new bill, in cases of underage marriage the parents, bride and groom can all be sentenced to three years in prison and can be fined with Rs45,000.

The Sindh Assembly is the first assembly in the country to pass a bill of this kind.

The bill was presented in the assembly last year by Sindh Minister for Culture Sharmila Farooqi as well as provincial minister Rubina Saadat Qaimkhani.
Both of them were part of an eight-member committee which was tasked on August 1 with preparing drafts in consultation with the stakeholders. The legislation cover child marriages, honour killings, harassment of women and acid attacks.

Farooqi submitted her version, titled Child Marriages Prohibition Act, 2013, of the draft in the Sindh Assembly on August 20.

Qaimkhani’s draft, titled The Child Marriages Eradication Act, had been scrutinised by the law and women development ministries. She had said that she has re-drafted the bill tabled in 2011 by former women development minister, Tauqir Fatima Bhutto.

The Child Marriages Prohibition Act had classified the offence as cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable. The Child Marriages Eradication Act, however, had held it only as a cognizable offence.

Civil society activists, bureaucrats and the media believe it will take time to implement the bill, for which Health and Nutrition Development Society, an NGO, has been struggling for the last two years.

Sharing the history of the first such bill, Sindh Law department’s additional secretary Aslam Shaikh had earlier stated that a bill was introduced in 1929 and the age of a girl for marriage was fixed at 14 years. He had said that with an amendment, the age limit was made 16 in 1965.

The enforced Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 awards three-month maximum imprisonment and Rs1,000 fine.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/701321/sindh-assembly-passes-bill-declaring-marriage-below-18-punishable-by-law/

[Da Bannu Mazdigar]

Very well,

I hope the rest of the Pakistan also follow them.

[Badlun]

Great news. Other 3 provinces and Afghanistan may also pass similar laws.

This bill is in clear opposition to the stand of Islamic Ideology Council whose Chairman Shirani says that child marriage is allowed in Islam.

Pakistan peoples party who is ruling Sindh seems to to be more progressive and secular as compared to other parties in Pakistan.

Bannu please share reaction to this bill by Mullas in Pakistan

[Manzareh]

I'd say generally speaking girls in Pakistan are ready for marriage by 16, in western countries girls tend to me more irresponsible and immature till 18 minimum.

[Badlun]

I'd say generally speaking girls in Pakistan are ready for marriage by 16, in western countries girls tend to me more irresponsible and immature till 18 minimum.

Even 18 years is less because in 24 years one usually completes the university education.

In 16 years you are a secondary school or college student. If a 16 years old girl or a boy get married, do you think they can continue their university education after marriage? Marriage bring many responsibilities including babies.

[Tjanaparh]

Even 18 years is less because in 24 years one usually completes the university education.

In 16 years you are a secondary school or college student. If a 16 years old girl or a boy get married, do you think they can continue their university education after marriage? Marriage bring many responsibilities including babies.

If you want You can. My wife for example studies, and we are far from being wealthy. Also not every person needs university education, there are people who want to do jobs where university is not needed.
Not to make you think I am for child marriage, but 24 shouldn't be a minimum I think, it depends on the person. 18 is ok I think.

[Da Bannu Mazdigar]

Great news. Other 3 provinces and Afghanistan may also pass similar laws.

This bill is in clear opposition to the stand of Islamic Ideology Council whose Chairman Shirani says that child marriage is allowed in Islam.

Pakistan peoples party who is ruling Sindh seems to to be more progressive and secular as compared to other parties in Pakistan.

Bannu please share reaction to this bill by Mullas in Pakistan

Forgot about Mullas.Our very own noora on the requested or i would say order by sheikh's was all set to even cancel the existing law of no marriage below 16 throughout Pakistan.

Mullas reaction :D

ISLAMABAD: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) concluded its 191th meeting, here Tuesday with the ruling that the laws related to minimum age of marriage were un-Islamic and that children of any age could get married if they attain puberty.

At the conclusion of two day meeting, Chairman CII Maulana Muhammad Khan Sheerani noted that the laws related to marriage too were unfair and there cannot be any age of marriage.

However, he explained that there were two segments of marriage – nikah and ruksati, while nikah could be performed at any age.

“Even the minors can have nikah but that has to be executed by the guardians,” chairman CII said adding, “But ruksti could be executed only after attaining the age of puberty.”

He said that the age of puberty varies from individuals to individuals and it was the responsibility of guardians to have ruksati soon the child attains the age of puberty.

http://www.dawn.com/news/1092468

They are only looking for their own benifits so that a 50years older bearded mullah can marry a 12-13years old girl(as they say when the girls hit puberty)

[Badlun]

If you want You can. My wife for example studies, and we are far from being wealthy. Also not every person needs university education, there are people who want to do jobs where university is not needed.
Not to make you think I am for child marriage, but 24 shouldn't be a minimum I think, it depends on the person. 18 is ok I think.

You are right. Every one does not go to University but I think every one must or should go. A time will come that in many countries like primary or secondary education, university education will be made compulsory.

Tjan
The problem with Muslims is a vicious circle. You cannot have premarital sex and you also cannot marry early because of socio-economic reasons. My solution is boy friend girl friend relationship but many conservative Muslims do not agree with it. For me mutual sex with due care and with mutual consent is like temporary marriage and not a sin.