The Balochistan Assembly has passed the Child Marriage Prohibition Bill despite fierce opposition protests. Lawmakers clashed over religious objections.
he Balochistan Assembly on Friday passed the Child Marriage Prohibition Bill with a majority vote, despite intense protests and dramatic scenes from the opposition benches. The session, chaired by Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, turned chaotic as opposition lawmakers shouted slogans, surrounded the speaker’s dais, and tore copies of the bill.
The draft legislation — aimed at banning child marriages in the province — immediately sparked a heated debate. Leader of the Opposition Younis Zehri (JUI-F) strongly objected to the bill, claiming it was “against the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah” and accusing the government of pushing the law “to please an NGO.”
Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, however, rejected the criticism, asserting that the Federal Shariat Court had already issued clear guidance on such matters. He reiterated that the provincial government was fully empowered to legislate under the Constitution.
As the bill was presented, opposition members continued to protest, tearing agenda papers and throwing them in the air. Despite the uproar, the Child Marriage Prohibition Bill was passed.
Opposition MPA Asghar Tareen later announced that the bill would be challenged in court, while heated exchanges continued between treasury and opposition lawmakers even after the vote.
Speaking to reporters, CM Bugti defended the legislation, saying:
“Law-making is the constitutional right of the provincial assembly. The bill remained under committee review for six months and was approved by the cabinet before being passed.”
Implementation Challenges Ahead
While the passage of the bill marks a significant step, implementation is expected to be one of the biggest challenges for the Balochistan government. Early and arranged marriages remain deeply embedded in tribal traditions across the province, particularly in rural districts.
Balochistan has witnessed several high-profile cases in recent years. Former Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani, remarried at the age of 92, while ex-JUI-F MNA Maulana Salahuddin Ayubi made headlines for marrying a 14-year-old girl from Chitral — a case that triggered a government inquiry.
Rights activists argue that without community engagement, awareness campaigns, and institutional enforcement, legislation alone will not curb early marriages. Law-enforcement coordination, local clerical support, and tribal mediation mechanisms will be critical to translating the bill into meaningful action.
For now, the passage of the bill has set the stage for a major policy test: Can the state enforce a ban on a practice deeply tied to customs, tribal honour, and religious interpretations?
