Sindh Assembly passes bill to prohibit child marriages
- By Azhar Khan -
- Apr 28, 2014
KARACHI: Sindh Assembly on Monday passed a landmark child marriages restraint bill, prohibiting marriage of children below 18 years, ARY News reported Monday.
The Sindh Assembly has become a pioneer provincial legislature in the country to have approved the child marriages restraint/prohibition bill.
Under the bill, the minimum age for marriage is set as 18 years. Those found violating the law will be punished as per law.
Earlier few months ago, female lawmakers of the Sindh Assembly had voice their concerns on child marriages and sought legislation to curb the menace. The speaker had referred the draft bill to the standing committee concerned.
It may be noted here that some sitting members of the provincial assembly still take part in jirgas (unelected councils) which act as moral arbitrators in rural areas of the province.