President Asif Ali Zardari has signed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2025 into law, marking a very crucial milestone that will have a profoundly positive effect on women's rights, maternal and child health generally. Sindh was the first province to take this historic step, and it is now time for other provinces to follow this exemplary lead and embrace this transformative legislation.

In the annals of Pakistan's legislative history, few moments shine as brightly as the recent passage of the Child Marriage Restraint Act by our Senate. This landmark legislation, which bans marriage for anyone under the age of 18 in the Islamabad Capital Territory, represents more than just legal reform—it embodies our nation's commitment to protecting its most vulnerable citizens and charting a course toward genuine progress.

The courage displayed by Pakistan People's Party Senator Sherry Rehman as she tabled this bill during what was undoubtedly a tense session cannot be overstated. Her powerful words, highlighting the tragic reality that "girls as young as 16 become mothers, and many die during childbirth," cut through political rhetoric to expose a harsh truth that our society has too long ignored. When she spoke of the sharp rise in maternal mortality rates among juvenile girls, she was not merely citing statistics—she was giving voice to countless young lives lost to a practice that robs children of their childhood and, all too often, their futures.

The legislative journey of this bill tells a story of persistence and dedication that exemplifies the best of democratic governance. Senator Rehman's acknowledgment that this bill was first unanimously passed by the Senate in 2013 reveals the frustrating reality of our legislative process, where good intentions often become trapped in bureaucratic delays. Her gracious recognition of Sehar Kamran's earlier efforts and her collaboration with MNA Sharmila Faruqui demonstrates the kind of cross-party cooperation that this issue deserves and demands.

Sherry, Sehar, and Sharmila: The Trio That Transformed Children's Rights.

The fact that this bill has now passed through both houses of Parliament, with MNA Sharmila Faruqui successfully steering it through the National Assembly, represents a triumph of collective will over individual obstacles. These remarkable women of the Pakistan People's Party faced down resistance from radical elements who would rather preserve harmful traditions than protect our children. Their bravery in confronting these forces head-on deserves our deepest appreciation and respect.

The comprehensive nature of this legislation reveals the thoughtful consideration that went into its drafting. By defining a child as anyone under 18 years of age, regardless of gender, the law establishes a clear, unambiguous standard that eliminates the confusion that has long plagued our legal system. The requirement that nikah registrars verify ages through Computerised National Identity Cards creates a practical mechanism for enforcement, while the substantial penalties—including up to three years of rigorous imprisonment for men who marry underage girls and up to seven years for those who force children into marriage—send an unmistakable message about the seriousness of these crimes.

This legislation addresses a critical need for legal uniformity in Pakistan. For too long, our laws regarding women and children have reflected outdated perspectives that fail to meet contemporary needs and international standards. By establishing 18 as the universal age of adulthood for marriage purposes, we are finally aligning our legal framework with modern understanding of child development and human rights. This unification of adult age across our legal system eliminates the dangerous ambiguities that have allowed harmful practices to continue under the guise of legal uncertainty.

The connection between child marriage and Pakistan's population challenges cannot be ignored. When girls are married as children, they typically begin bearing children before their bodies and minds are ready for such responsibilities. This not only endangers their health but also contributes to rapid population growth that strains our resources and limits opportunities for sustainable development. Through legislation like this, we can begin to address population concerns while simultaneously protecting individual rights—a approach that serves both humanitarian and practical purposes.

The protection of girl child rights stands at the heart of this legislation, but its implications extend far beyond legal protection. When we prevent child marriage, we create space for education to flourish. Girls who remain in school longer, who complete their education before taking on family responsibilities, become powerful agents of change in their communities. They bring knowledge, skills, and perspectives that benefit not just their own families but society as a whole.

The promotion of girl education that naturally follows from this legislation will have profound economic implications for Pakistan. Educated women contribute significantly to economic growth through their participation in the workforce, their entrepreneurial activities, and their role in raising the next generation. When we invest in girls' education by protecting them from early marriage, we are making one of the most effective investments possible in our nation's economic future.

Gender equality, long a cornerstone of Pakistan People's Party ideology, finds concrete expression in this legislation. By protecting both boys and girls from child marriage, the law acknowledges that harmful practices affect all children, while recognizing that girls face particular vulnerabilities in our society. This balanced approach reflects a mature understanding of how legal reform can promote genuine equality rather than merely symbolic gestures.

The economic contributions of educated women extend beyond individual success stories to encompass transformative societal change. Women who complete their education before marriage bring enhanced decision-making skills to their families, improved health outcomes for their children, and greater awareness of rights and opportunities. These benefits multiply across generations, creating a positive cycle of development that no amount of traditional economic planning can match.

The constitutional dimensions of this legislation deserve careful consideration. While some voices have questioned Parliament's authority to pass such laws, the principle of parliamentary supremacy remains fundamental to our democratic system. According to our Constitution, Parliament represents the will of the people through their elected representatives, and it alone possesses the authority to create binding legislation for the nation. The Islamic Council's role, as clearly defined in our Constitution, is advisory in nature—to provide guidance and counsel to Parliament, not to override the legislative process.

This distinction between advisory and legislative functions is crucial for maintaining the balance of powers that keeps our democracy functional. When we allow any institution, regardless of its importance or good intentions, to usurp Parliament's legislative authority, we undermine the very foundation of representative government. The people of Pakistan speak through their elected representatives in Parliament, and that voice must remain supreme in matters of legislation.

The international recognition of this legislation, including The Guardian's observation that Pakistan is sending an "important signal of hope in a gloomy world of pushbacks on women's rights," demonstrates how progressive legislation can enhance our nation's reputation globally. In an era when many countries are retreating from commitments to women's rights and child protection, Pakistan's forward movement on this issue positions us as a leader rather than a follower in human rights advancement.

The comments by Nadeem Afzal Chan, the PPP's information secretary, about celebrating this bill as protection for children's rights and his announcement that Balochistan will soon enact similar laws, point toward the broader impact this legislation can have. When the federal capital leads by example, it creates momentum for similar reforms across the country.

However, we must acknowledge the uneven progress across our provinces. While the Sindh government, under PPP leadership, passed similar legislation long ago, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have yet to follow suit. This disparity in legal protections for children based on their geographic location represents an unacceptable situation that demands immediate attention. Children in Lahore or Peshawar deserve the same legal protections as children in Karachi or Islamabad.

The passage of this bill through the Senate represents more than legislative success—it marks a way forward in human rights that can serve as a model for other reforms. When we demonstrate that principled leadership, persistent advocacy, and cross-party cooperation can overcome resistance to necessary change, we create a template for addressing other challenges that face our society.

The courage shown by Senators Sherry Rehman and Sehar Kamran, along with MNA Sharmila Faruqui, in facing down opposition from radical elements reminds us that progress requires individuals willing to stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult. Their example should inspire other legislators to tackle the challenging but necessary reforms that our country needs.

As we celebrate this victory, we must also recognize that legislation alone cannot solve the complex social problems that contribute to child marriage. Poverty, lack of education, traditional practices, and limited economic opportunities for women all play roles in perpetuating harmful practices. However, strong legal frameworks provide the foundation upon which broader social change can build.

The true test of this legislation will come in its implementation and enforcement. Having good laws on the books means nothing if they are not properly enforced or if communities lack the awareness and resources to comply with them. This is where continued advocacy, public education, and sustained political commitment become essential.

Looking forward, this legislation should serve as a catalyst for broader reforms that address the root causes of child marriage and other forms of gender-based discrimination. We need comprehensive approaches that combine legal protection with economic opportunity, educational access with social support, and individual rights with community engagement.

The Pakistan People's Party's role in shepherding this legislation through Parliament reflects our party's longstanding commitment to protecting the vulnerable and promoting social justice. From Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's vision of a Pakistan where the poor and marginalized would have voice and protection, to Shaheed Benazir Bhutto's groundbreaking work on women's rights, to today's continued advocacy for children's protection, our party has consistently stood on the right side of history.

This Child Marriage Restraint Act represents not just a legal victory, but a moral victory for Pakistan. It demonstrates that when we have the political will to do what is right, when we can set aside narrow interests in favor of broader good, and when we can work together across party lines, we can achieve meaningful progress that makes our nation stronger and more just.

The children of Pakistan—both boys and girls—deserve our protection, our investment in their futures, and our commitment to ensuring they have the opportunity to reach their full potential. This legislation moves us significantly closer to fulfilling that obligation, and for that, we should all be grateful to those who made it possible.