In a controversial development, the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has rejected a newly passed bill aimed at banning child marriage in the Islamabad Capital Territory, calling the proposed legislation “un-Islamic” and contrary to Shariah principles. The decision has triggered concern among human rights activists, minority groups, and women’s rights advocates across the country.

The bill, formally titled the ICT Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Bill 2025, was passed by the National Assembly on May 16 and tabled in the Senate on May 19 by Senator Sherry Rehman. Originally introduced by PPP MNA Sharmila Faruqi, the bill proposes to raise the legal minimum age for marriage to 18 years, and classifies child marriage as a form of abuse, prescribing punishments for violations.

While the bill received strong support in both houses of Parliament, its future now appears uncertain after the Council issued a formal opinion earlier this week. In a statement released Tuesday, the CII declared:

“Declaring marriage below the age of eighteen as child abuse and prescribing punishments for it, and other controversial provisions, are not in line with Islamic injunctions. Overall, the Council rejected the bill.”

The Council also expressed displeasure that the bill was not sent to it for review before being passed, stating that such oversight contravenes parliamentary norms.

The bill was hailed by many as a much-needed step to curb the rising cases of forced and underage marriages, particularly affecting girls from marginalized and minority communities.

Senator Sherry Rehman, defending the bill, said:

“It’s a very important signal to the country, to our development partners, and to women that their rights are protected at the top. This legislation sends a powerful message that Pakistan is serious about protecting its daughters.”

Civil society organizations and minority rights activists also welcomed the bill. They argue that the legislation would act as a deterrent against the growing number of forced conversions and marriages of Christian and Hindu girls under the guise of religious consent.

“This bill could have been a game-changer for religious minorities, especially those suffering from the systematic abuse of young girls in the name of faith and tradition,” said one minority rights campaigner, requesting anonymity.

However, conservative voices and religious scholars have strongly opposed the bill, arguing that setting a minimum marriage age of 18 contradicts Islamic teachings.

Interestingly, legal experts and civil society actors point out that in 2021, the Federal Shariat Court had ruled that fixing a minimum age for marriage does not violate Islamic injunctions—raising questions about the CII’s current position and whether it contradicts established legal precedent.

Senator Naseema Ehsan, during the Senate debate, shared her personal experience, stating:

“I got married at the age of 13. I know the trauma it causes. I support the bill wholeheartedly and want to see child marriage banned in Pakistan.”

Having cleared both the National Assembly and Senate, the bill now awaits the assent of President Asif Ali Zardari. Under Pakistan’s legislative process, the President may either sign the bill into law or return it to Parliament for reconsideration.

Legal observers say the President’s decision will be critical in determining the direction of child rights legislation in the country.

The rejection of the bill by the Council of Islamic Ideology has turned a widely welcomed legislative effort into a battleground between legal reform and religious interpretation. As the nation watches closely, the question remains: will the President uphold the parliamentary consensus, or will the bill be sent back, risking further delay in protecting Pakistan’s most vulnerable children?