Under-18 marriage registration declared crime 

Islamabad: The National Assembly has passed a bill banning the marriage of minors.

According to the text of the bill, marriage registrars will be bound not to register the marriage of minors. The person performing the marriage will ensure the presence of computerized identity cards of both parties before performing or registering the marriage.

The bill also clarified that a punishment has been prescribed for the marriage of a man over the age of 18 with a minor girl. The bill stated that there will be a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 3 years of imprisonment for marriage to a minor girl. There will also be a fine for marriage with a minor girl, and intimate intercourse with a minor child, with or without consent, will be considered as rape.

Similarly, anyone who induces, compels, or coerces a minor bride or groom to marry should also be considered a perpetrator of rape. Getting a minor bride or groom married will be punishable by 5 to 7 years in prison, a fine of Rs1 million, or both.