A petition has been filed in the Federal Shariat Court challenging the constitutionality and Islamic validity of the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2025, which sets 18 as the minimum legal age for girls to marry. Filed by Shehzada Adnan through Advocate Mudassar Chaudhry, the petition names the Ministry of Interior and its secretary as respondents.
The petitioner argues that the law contradicts Islamic teachings and violates the Quran, Sunnah, and Hadith. Citing religious texts, he claims the bill disregards Islamic jurisprudence and infringes upon religious freedoms. He also objects to the law’s penalties — including imprisonment with hard labor — calling them excessive and un-Islamic.
The petition urges the court to nullify the bill and bar authorities from enforcing it.
President Asif Ali Zardari signed the bill into law on May 30, after its passage by parliament. Introduced by PPP’s Sharmila Faruqui, the bill aims to protect children’s rights and align with global human rights norms.
However, the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) rejected the law, declaring it inconsistent with Sharia. The CII criticized the lack of consultation and maintained that setting a minimum marriage age contradicts Islamic principles.
