Islamabad: The bill aimed at banning child marriages has received the green signal from Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, who has signed it. The bill, designed to protect children’s rights, seeks to prohibit marriages involving minors under the age of 18. The bill reached President Asif Ali Zardari on May 27. It was approved by both houses of Parliament.

Religious groups strongly opposed the child marriage ban bill. The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) stated that the bill contradicts Islamic laws. According to the CII, considering marriages under the age of 18 as rape goes against Islamic law.