Kalash marriage bill gets approval from KP cabinet committee

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet Committee on Legislation has approved the draft of the historic Kalash Marriage Bill, paving the way for it to be presented before the Provincial Assembly for final approval and enactment into law.

The proposed legislation aims to formally recognise and protect the marital rights and cultural identity of the Kalash community, an indigenous minority living in the remote valleys of Bumburet, Rumbur, and Birir in Chitral.

Qamar Naseem, Programme Manager at Blue Veins and co-drafter of the bill, confirmed the development and said the draft would now be presented to the KP Cabinet for endorsement before being tabled in the Assembly. “This is a significant milestone toward safeguarding the fundamental rights of Pakistan’s indigenous peoples,” he said.

He thanked the KP government, Wazirzada, Focal Person on Minority Affairs, the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), the Local Government Department, and others who supported the drafting and legislative process.

Qamar added that the Kalash Marriage Bill introduces a legal mechanism for the registration of marriages in line with Kalash religious and cultural traditions. He noted that generations of Kalash couples have lacked a formal registration system, leading to legal complications and a lack of recognition.

“This is not just a legal reform — it’s an acknowledgment of their identity and a tool for cultural preservation,” he remarked.

The bill seeks to fill a long-standing legal vacuum by offering formal recognition of Kalash marital customs, thereby protecting one of Pakistan’s oldest and most distinct indigenous cultures within the national legislative framework.