IHC declares any marriage under 18 as illegal contract

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has given an important verdict about the wedding age that any marriage under the age of 18 is an illegal contract.

IHC Justice Babar Sattar has issued a written verdict and declared that a girl under the age of 18 cannot get married independently.

As per verdict, even the heirs cannot force any person under the age of 18 to enter into a physical relationship agreement. It also stated that age of puberty is biologically 18 years and physical changes before the age of 18 years are not legal puberty.

Justice Babar Sattar also directed in the verdict that the issue of non-clarification in the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance be placed before the Cabinet Division and the Parliament.

In the case of underage girl Sawera Falak Sher’s marriage, the court ordered Golra Police Station SHO to return her to her mother from Dar ul Amman (Shelter House).

A decision was taken on the petition of Mumtaz Bibi filed for the recovery of her daughter last year. Sawera had given a statement in the Court to marry voluntarily.