5-year-old girl forced into marriage with 13-year-old boy in Sheikhupura

In another case of child marriage, a 5-year-old girl was forced into marriage with a 13-year-old boy in Sheikhupura with the parent’s consent, it emerged on Monday.

The local police raided the wedding ceremony of minors in Kot Nazir village, located along GT Road, and arrested a suspect.

Police reported that eight people, including the parents of the bride and groom, were also present at the ceremony.

After receiving reports of the underage marriage, the Muridke police raided the event and registered a case under the Child Marriage Act.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Muhammad Younis filed a complaint against the perpetrators. Police are also conducting raids to apprehend the remaining suspects.

The practice of child marriage violates the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan, which mandates the state to safeguard all citizens, particularly women and children.

Under Pakistan's current law, the outdated Marriage Restraint Act of 1929, sets the minimum age for marriage at 16 for girls and 18 for boys.

In a move to prevent child marriage, the provincial government submitted a draft of the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2024, to the home department on April 25 this year. 

The bill outlined penalties for child marriage. Anyone who marries a minor (under 18) or facilitates such a union could face imprisonment for two to three years, along with a fine from one to two lac rupees.

However, the bill has not yet been enacted.