SHIKARPUR: Police on Friday arrested a man accused of marrying a 10-year-old girl in Shikarpur, ARY News reported.
Talking to media, the 40-year-old man said grandmother of the girl had told that the orphan girl was around 17 years old.
The grandmother had reportedly sold the girl to the suspect for Rs0.25 million. The man said he had given the money to the grandmother.
Media reported that police had arrived before the Nikkah was solemnised.
On April 30, the National Assembly had referred the bill to amend the child marriage restraint act 1929 to the Standing Committee on Law and Justice for further proceeding.
Read More: National Assembly refers child marriage restraint bill to standing committee
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan had said no legislation could be made against Islam. He had said the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) had opposed the bill in the past.
Ali Muhammad Khan had said he would prefer to resign as MNA but would not support any bill against Shariah.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Dr. Noor-ul-Haq Qadri had also opposed the bill.
Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari had supported the bill saying that Turkey and Bangladesh had also set 18 years of age for marriage. “Parliament is supreme, it can take decision,” she said.
