News Desk: The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) has welcomed the passage of the Balochistan Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2025, hailing it as a major milestone for child protection, women’s rights, and gender equality in Pakistan.
Chairperson of NCSW, Ume Laila Azhar, stated that the law is the result of extensive nationwide consultations involving political leaders, bureaucrats, religious scholars, civil society organisations, and members of the judiciary. “There was unanimous recognition that the minimum age of marriage should be set at 18 years. Even religious scholars and the Council of Islamic Ideology have endorsed this as a fair and reasonable benchmark in the best interest of children,” she said.
Azhar emphasized that the legislation is not merely about preventing early marriages. “It is about safeguarding the mental, physical, and emotional development of future generations. By enforcing this law, we ensure that children grow up healthier, receive better education, and are empowered to lead fulfilling lives,” she added.
The NCSW has urged the governments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to urgently enact their respective Child Marriage Restraint Bills. With Sindh, the Islamabad Capital Territory, and now Balochistan already aligned with the national standard of 18 years, any further delay, according to the commission, is “unjustifiable and harmful” to children’s wellbeing.
Highlighting the importance of uniformity across provinces, Azhar said, “Standardizing 18 as the minimum age of marriage is not only a legislative step but also a moral, constitutional, and humanitarian responsibility. Consistent implementation, strengthened community vigilance, and a united national resolve are key to securing safer and brighter futures for our children.”
The NCSW reaffirmed its commitment, in partnership with national and international organisations, to support provincial governments in enacting, harmonizing, and enforcing strong legal protections to end child marriage and promote the rights of every child in Pakistan.
