ISLAMABAD: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has rejected a bill passed by both the National Assembly and Senate that proposes setting 18 as the minimum legal age for marriage, stating that it does not align with Islamic teachings.
The decision was made during a meeting chaired by CII Chairman Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi on Tuesday. Members of the Council held extensive discussions on the age of puberty and the proposed legal threshold of 18 years for marriage but remained unconvinced about enforcing a fixed age limit.
Sources familiar with the proceedings said the Council acknowledged the need to address social and moral challenges in society but emphasized that matters related to marriage must be assessed through religious, cultural, and societal lenses. Members stressed the importance of considering Islamic jurisprudence and traditional values when forming marriage laws.
The Council concluded that declaring underage marriage as a criminal offense punishable by law is inconsistent with Islamic principles. However, it did endorse efforts to discourage early marriages through public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives, rather than legal penalties.
The meeting included a review of a five-point agenda, and while preliminary recommendations were formulated, the Council will issue its formal decision once internal consensus is reached.
Sources added that the Council expressed strong reservations over the legislation approved by Parliament and has rejected the bill outright.
Today’s session also addressed other key national issues, with the age of marriage being a central topic of deliberation.
