New law sets marriage age at 18, but child marriage continues in South PunjabCEFR A2
21 Sept 2025
Adapted from Mahpara Zulqadar, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Assad Tanoli, Unsplash
In June 2025 a 14-year-old girl in Behal, District Layyah, spoke to an interviewer. Her name is Zunaira and she said she wanted to be a science teacher. Her family arranged her marriage to a man twice her age. Her mother said, "We don't have a choice."
In May 2025 Pakistan's Parliament passed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill. The law sets the legal marriage age at 18 for all genders. It also introduces fines and imprisonment and gives local authorities power to stop underage unions. Political reactions were mixed. The PPP welcomed the law, while JUI-F opposed it and Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced nationwide protest rallies.
Difficult words
- marriage — A legally recognized union between two people.marry, married
- education — The process of learning and teaching.
- community — A group of people living in the same area.
- forced — Made to do something against one's will.
- future — The time that comes after now.
- efforts — Attempts made to achieve something.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What can be done to reduce child marriage?
- How does education help girls in their future?
- Why do you think some parents arrange marriages for their daughters?
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