Summary:
In May 2025, the National Assembly passed—and President Zardari assented to—the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025, raising the minimum legal age of marriage to 18 for both boys and girls in Islamabad (ICT).
The legislation repeals the colonial-era Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929 in ICT and introduces criminal penalties for individuals and officials involved in underage marriages. Courts are empowered to issue injunctive relief and protect whistleblowers reporting child marriage plans.
Key Facts:
Age Threshold: Anyone under 18 is legally prohibited from marrying within the ICT .
Registry Obligation: Nikah registrars must verify CNIC-based DOBs of both parties before solemnisation. Failure to do so may result in imprisonment of up to 1 year and a fine of Rs 100,000, unless the registrar proves genuine belief the marriage was not underage .
Penalties for Adult Violators: A man over 18 marrying an underage girl faces 2–3 years of rigorous imprisonment plus fines .
Cohabitation as Child Abuse: Any sexual relations resulting from such marriage constitute statutory rape, carrying 5–7 years imprisonment and fine up to Rs 1 million.
Facilitation Offenses: Parents, guardians or clerics who facilitate or shelter child marriages face 2–3 years imprisonment and fines; those who induce or lure minors can face 3 years imprisonment plus fines.
Court Injunctions: Courts may issue orders to stop impending child marriages and protect the identity of complainants
Conclusion:
The Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025 marks a landmark achievement for child rights, gender equality, and legal modernization in Pakistan’s federal capital. Its criminal penalties, institutional accountability, and legal clarity establish new norms for safeguarding minors—offering a blueprint for provinces nationwide to adopt 18 as the marriageable age.
By