PML-N proposes harsher punishment for child marriage

The ruling PML-N party today proposed harsher punishments for those found guilty under the child marriage act after a constitutional body earlier ruled that laws on child marriage were un-Islamic.
The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) had on March 10 ruled that laws on child marriage were un-Islamic and that children of any age could get married if they attain puberty.
The CII advises the legislature whether or not a certain law is repugnant to Islam, namely to the Quran and Sunna.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the National Assembly introduced a bill seeking harsher punishment in such cases.

The move in the Assembly earned the ire of other members, most prominently Maulana Muhammad Khan Shirani, the chairman of the CII and a lawmaker of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F).
"The CII had already given its recommendations over the Act and it should have not come in the National Assembly," said Shirani after Marvi Memon of PML-N introduced a bill seeking amendments in the Act.

Besides PML-N lawmaker Marvi Menon, movers of the bill also include Asiya Naz Tanoli, Muhammad Pervaiz Malik and Shaista Pervaiz, the Express News reported.
Shirani opposed the proposed amendments saying that they were contrary to Islamic teachings and laws.

In order to substantiate his arguments, he quoted the Constitution, several verses from Quran and Hadith and said that according to Islamic laws, marriage can be solemnised when a girl attains puberty.
"Parliament could not legislate laws which are against the teachings of Quran and Sunnah," he added.
Another JUI-F member, Moulana Ameer Zaman said that the issue should be referred to the CII further perusal and discussion.
Commenting over the issue, Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf said that the bill be referred to the relevant standing committee for further deliberations as it was proposed by the Speaker.
The bill had sought amendments in the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 proposing six amendments in the existing laws.

The bill has proposed strict punishment through amendment which says, "Whoever, being a male above eighteen years of age, contracts child marriage shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to one hundred thousand rupees, or with both."
Before the amendment, the Act said that the punishment should be "simple", may extend to "one month" and fine may extend to one thousands rupees.
Similarly, the punishment for solemnising the child marriage has been suggested to be "rigorous" instead of "simple", for "two years" instead of existing "one month" and the fine should be "one hundred thousands" instead of one thousands.