QUETTA: Ulema and members of civil society have urged the political parties and lawmakers to get a law passed against child marriage.

Speaking at a seminar and painting competition on the issue of child marriage organised by the Women Lead Alliance on Saturday, they suggested that movers of the child marriage bill should develop consensus over the age of child and other key points before presenting it in the assembly.

“Ulema and religious parties have different point of view on the issue which is a hurdle in passing a legislation against child marriage,” the Ulema told the seminar.

Ulema of different schools of thought supported the draft law papered by Women Lead Alliance against child marriage with the cooperation of other organisations. They said that various Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, have fixed different age but they have consensus against child marriage.

Parliamentary Secretary on Information, Social Welfare and Special Education Bushra Rind, members of the civil society, Ulema and rights activists attended the seminar.

Ms Rind said the early child marriage affected the education health as well as the practical life of the children.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2022