Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday strongly opposed the recently enacted Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025, declaring plans for nationwide protest rallies against the legislation.
Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Maulana Fazl criticized the new law, alleging that it “facilitates immorality by making lawful marriage more difficult.” He argued that the legislation contradicts Islamic teachings and represents a broader trend of undermining religious and constitutional values.
“Pakistan continues down a troubling path,” he remarked. “Under General Musharraf, a constitutional amendment claimed to protect women’s rights but effectively decriminalized extramarital relations, removing them from the category of sin. Now, this new law seeks to prohibit marriage under the age of 18.”
He added that the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) — a constitutionally mandated advisory body on Islamic law — had already declared the legislation to be inconsistent with Islamic principles, a view shared by religious scholars and political parties aligned with religious doctrine. “This is a clear violation of constitutional protections, which are being disregarded,” he asserted.
Maulana Fazl announced that JUI-F would launch a campaign against the law, including a series of protest rallies across the country and a major gathering in Hazara Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, scheduled for June 29.
The Act, which aims to safeguard the rights of children and eliminate marriages involving individuals under 18 in the Islamabad Capital Territory, was signed into law by the president on May 27 following its approval by both houses of Parliament.
Despite its intent to align with child protection standards, the legislation has faced significant backlash from conservative and religious quarters. The CII, in particular, has objected to provisions equating underage marriage with statutory rape, stating that such classifications do not conform with Islamic jurisprudence.
