Opposition of anti-child marriage bill in NA disappoints Chaudhry
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Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday expressed his disappointment at some "elected representatives and ministers' opposition" of the Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Bill, 2018 in the National Assembly, terming it a "scary moment" for the society.
"What hopes can one really attribute to a society whose fifty elected representatives and even ministers actually voted for underage marriage?" he tweeted.
The lawmakers who opposed the bill also included MNAs from Chaudhry's own political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), most prominent of whom were Religious Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri and State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Mohammad Khan.
Chaudhry, in his tweet today, rued that elected representatives had voted in favour of child marriage, adding that the fact alone "should be enough to give sleepless nights to the world and intelligentsia of our own".
He had also tweeted in favour of the bill yesterday, when journalist Hamid Mir pointed out that even though the bill was tabled by an MNA of PTI, it was opposed by some other ruling party members, and said: "Unless we decide whether this country is to be governed by mullahs or rationality, we should forget even the idea of progress."
The bill — that has already been passed by the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights as well as the upper house itself — was presented in the National Assembly yesterday, and it polarised parties during debate. Even though the bill was tabled by Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani of the PTI, several of his fellow party leaders strongly opposed it.
The bill had been unanimously endorsed by the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights and was tabled in the Senate by PPP Senator Sherry Rehman on Monday. PTI's Qadri and Khan had opposed the bill in the Senate as well but it had received the majority needed to be passed.
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Comments (74) Closed
May 01, 2019 09:02pm
For once I agree with every word in his tweet.
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May 01, 2019 09:03pm
These 50 MNAs should be expelled from NA.
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May 01, 2019 09:05pm
It's scary that there are people in the parliament that support marrying underage children.
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May 01, 2019 09:10pm
Time to fulfil promissess, where is free education for every Pakistani? Where are Jobs? Where are those police reforms which you were talking about since 8 months? Did Nawaz Shabaz and co paid the money, did Zardari and family including co partners paid for their sins.
No jobs means no future, what should poor people do, simple what they have got they would sell it, it could be their kidney, or any other organs, or their own child... Speak about your previous performance before pretending to be a Minister...
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May 01, 2019 09:12pm
This shows and exposed mindset of such so called politicians who voted against under aged marriage bill. This is disgraceful and highlighted the calibre of our politicians who are reluctant to make any changes and want to be part of old corrupt system where rich and powerful take advantage of the weak and vulnerable political system. In vast majority of the civilised countries, the minimum marriage age is 18, so what is wrong with this, as under age marriages cause various social and medical problems. (Awam ki Awaz).
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May 01, 2019 09:14pm
Which era these people are living in.
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May 01, 2019 09:15pm
Disappoints but this is real.
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May 01, 2019 09:17pm
It is definitely a moment of reflection and see the direction of the society.
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May 01, 2019 09:17pm
Poor Fawad Ch is quite right. It's a shameful example of the blind ignorance and misogyny of most of our parliamentarians.
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May 01, 2019 09:20pm
Underage marriage. Child marriage. Is a disgrace and anyone who supports this crime
is undermining the morals and health of the nation...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
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May 01, 2019 09:21pm
Fawad Chaudhry is absolutely right. How can an educated person in the 21st Century favour child marriages?
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May 01, 2019 09:23pm
Its their own people and its their leader fault to give tickets and elected them, so start accepting responsibility or go home already.
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May 01, 2019 09:38pm
Mr. Minister: I understand your disappointment. You are absolutely right. It's a despicable system not only in Pakistan but in India also, it's illegal in India though. But ill education among the masses finds its way to continue with it. Please do not give-up.
Ashok De.. Calgary, CANADA.
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May 01, 2019 09:40pm
I am not sure what constitutes a child. Age for girls maturity is around 14 and 15. They can be married at that age. As for males, anything after puberty is fine.
I think a bigger question is what age is to be declared as a minor for each gender.
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May 01, 2019 09:40pm
Laws should be against forced marriages rather age. Whoever performs forced marriage Nikah should be punishable.
There should be some mechanism that under age girl or boy should go through some screening, to ensure they understand the issues with early age marriages, and establish no force marriage case.
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May 01, 2019 09:41pm
These MNAs that voted for child marriage are living in the stone ages. It's shameful to see children getting married off at such age.
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May 01, 2019 09:46pm
True ! Scary moment.
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May 01, 2019 09:47pm
He should stick to his new job of science and technology only. Do something on your own rather than blaming the opposition only.
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May 01, 2019 09:49pm
All those vote against. how many of them have got their daughters married between 13 and 18 years? and justify their promotion for earlier than 18 years marriages.
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May 01, 2019 09:51pm
No signs of naya Pakistan with such a mindset
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May 01, 2019 09:54pm
Shameless people representative
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May 01, 2019 09:55pm
For a change good effort.
His comment about what society has become is evident from the lack of comments here supporting the ministers stance
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May 01, 2019 10:01pm
After reading this report I am of the view that what we can expect from those people who are in favour of child marriages? how a person like that can be minister for religious affairs, its really scary to think that a 13 or 14 yrs old girl can become a mother at the age when she herself needs the care of a mother. I think its really sad and these people cancer for our society. A mother is the one who built the foundation of the child grove them into better people, she has to be the one who is respected the most in the family, because if she gets the respect then she can give proper education to her children and make the strong foundation of the family in turn which built the whole nation in general Which will really make a NAYA PAKISTAN.
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May 01, 2019 10:02pm
that shows we are far behind
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May 01, 2019 10:16pm
50 MNA's disgrace their country and humiliate the morals of the nation... Outrageous.
Immoral and Disgusting!
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
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May 01, 2019 10:19pm
What is the religious or moral basis for opposing the bill?
Congratulations to Minister Fawad Chaudhry for his clear position.
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May 01, 2019 10:20pm
Is it possible to publish the names of those who opposed the bill?
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May 01, 2019 10:24pm
@Patriot, it depends on where / what institute they are educated in ?
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May 01, 2019 10:26pm
@Viq saad, wow you belong right there with those who opposed the law... are you for real !!
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May 01, 2019 10:30pm
@Prateik, Absolutely, they are a waste on the national exchequer. Instead of moving towards progress they want us to go back to the stone age. Very tragic.
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May 01, 2019 10:36pm
Announcement of 50. MNA's name who oppose antichild marriage bill. Expose in public.. Put him in shame.. This is black sign of future kids of Pakistan.
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May 01, 2019 10:39pm
@Viq saad, This quetion you ask yourself by considering your daughter and you ll find answer
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May 01, 2019 10:46pm
Is is not only about MNAs but this is the mentality of majority too.
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May 01, 2019 10:47pm
@Erum Aziz,
Have patience, be optimistic, as it will take time to change mindset of politicians and general public where previous PPP's and PMLN's so called leaders encouraged corruption and other black activities for their personal benefits. And, as a result, corruption reached to its highest level under AAZ and NS. Remember, Rome wasn't build in months - give PM Imran Khan time and most importantly we all have to contribute positively by fulfilling our duties honestly and diligently without any personal motives. (Awam ki Awaz).
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May 01, 2019 10:58pm
What a silly point. In many countries you can get married before the of 18. in UK marriage is allowed at 16 with parents consent.
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May 01, 2019 11:16pm
First time this guy said something decent
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May 01, 2019 11:22pm
Well well ! This is what this nation has produced and we people voted for them . What a shame
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May 01, 2019 11:24pm
This first time that Ch Fawad has rightfully spoken against wrongful members of our Parliament.
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May 01, 2019 11:51pm
Send the opposes home and reducate them. Change the religious minister Qadri. He is no good.
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May 01, 2019 11:55pm
I am ashamed by our countrymen for supporting underage marriage. That will be all.
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May 01, 2019 11:56pm
@Viq saad, who told you that age for maturity is 14-15??? Stop showing the world that you are a compete fool.
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May 02, 2019 12:09am
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani, well said. But how can you help to bring a positive social change when you have 87 millions as illiterate and equivalent numbers as semiliterates, still in the grip of feudalism and mullahism, supporting this primitive & medieval practice. This shameful display of backwardness was expected from a cabinet comprising of 11 of Mushraf era ministers, being part of the sitting govt., due to political expediency in play, remaining to be part & parcel of forces of status quo.
Notwithstanding, present govt.’s 11 point manifesto remaining 99% unfulfilled, this display of defiance by 3 ministers of the its party who showed where their preferences are. It further adds to the existing disharmony among the cabinet members, & another big blow to expected delays to the social change. The PTI needs to revisit its priorities & uproot enemies from within, of their lofted promises of social uplift to millions of those yet to see the light of the day, w/o any further delay.
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May 02, 2019 12:22am
Mr. Fawad is talking sense. Pinch me, am I dreaming?
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May 02, 2019 12:31am
@Faran, 6th century
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May 02, 2019 12:48am
Educate, Educate, Educate. These bills are just quick fixes that doesn't transform societies. Anything forced upon will repel. Society must be educated and there will be no need for early marriage stopover bill.
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May 02, 2019 12:48am
@Suchbaath , what wisdom, knowledge and understanding do you expect a 12 year old to have?
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May 02, 2019 12:51am
Now I am starting to like Fawad Chaudry .
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May 02, 2019 12:58am
Even in developed country liked USA majority of their states allow child marriage at age 16 with parental consent. In 2017 200,000 children over 15 got married.
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May 02, 2019 01:27am
Totally agree with it, however looks like an attempt to stay relevant by the new IT minister.
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May 02, 2019 02:54am
@HA, you can "google" them.
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May 02, 2019 03:20am
What is PTI going to do with its mnas who opposed the bill?
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May 02, 2019 03:28am
18 seems like a reasonable compromise. Mental and social maturity often comes after 25 though.
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May 02, 2019 03:46am
I also agree these pupil should be expelled from the assembly
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May 02, 2019 03:51am
Their constituents should ask them to resign from office and immediately.
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May 02, 2019 03:53am
@Erum Aziz, good comments, however you seem to ignore that two generations of pakistanis, many in parliament and the judiciary have bad habits, hence the looters are still in jail, and using medical lies. The culture has to change,but doesn't change in a few months. The entire structure of society needs changing.
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May 02, 2019 03:57am
So sad
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May 02, 2019 03:57am
@Ash Man , the corrupt landed class needs to be disappeared and land reforms and tax put in place, but asking current landowners to change these laws is impossible. The dice are loaded.
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May 02, 2019 03:58am
Publish their names in the newspapers.
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May 02, 2019 04:08am
@Suchbaath , age is a much simpler and cleaner fact. Force marriages already against existing laws.
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May 02, 2019 04:33am
Sadly PTI'S own opposed it.
All PPP supported the Bil.
Seems like the only PPP has pro people policies
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May 02, 2019 05:05am
@NewBorn, Kindly define "Underage". Thanks.
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May 02, 2019 05:19am
What a sorry state of mind for Pakistan’s legislators. No hope for this country.
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May 02, 2019 05:38am
The world and Pakistan are moving in opposite directions
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May 02, 2019 06:12am
Fawad Chaudhry is absolutely right and is so disturb just like us. PM is a man of vision and hopefully in near future this minor marriages issue would see good progress.
But will not it be a fair and wonderful to see all the politicians who objected? Sincerely
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May 02, 2019 06:27am
Morally bankrupt MNAs who are afforded seats in the senate.
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May 02, 2019 06:28am
All 50 mna and the ministers name and pictures should be on every news channel and paper for the peoples to see.
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May 02, 2019 07:36am
@Awan, u are one of the monsters.
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May 02, 2019 07:49am
Shame on these so called elected officials . Is this how Pakistan will progress??
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May 02, 2019 08:11am
Do we really need minister for Religious affair? If we do he should be well educated and also well versed ln all other subjects besides Islam. No other progressive country has such a position, You can see this minister's mindset as to how he voted even though belonging to the same party, Its a shame.
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May 02, 2019 08:28am
@Viq saad, seems you are are totally illetrate misogynistic person who has mindset of seventh century. What's make you to think girls can be married at age 13-14.please see the report of WHO which can hopefully she's some light of your bird brain.
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May 02, 2019 01:09pm
@aslam khan, USA or UK and Pak have very different social contexts. First of all the awareness and social maturity of girls is at a very different scale. Secondly, they don't have a problem of girls being forced into arranged marriages and often to men twice or thrice their age. Finally the legal, and social protection as well as the government support available to girls is again of a very different scale.
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May 02, 2019 01:21pm
We need a presidential system, urgently.
Mullahs should be banned from Parliament and Assemblies. We have to get rid of the Mullahs period.
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May 02, 2019 11:32pm
A bill prohibiting second marriage should also be introduced in the Nati8onal Assembly, dont care most of the members will oppose it.
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May 02, 2019 11:52pm
@aslam khan, Please don't lie - the real facts in US are: Between 2000 and 2015, over 200,000 minors were legally married in the United States.[2] The vast majority of child marriages were between a child and an adult.[3][2] The majority of married children were girls.[2].
Since 2000, several states have raised the min age to 17 or 18.
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