Sindh Assembly rejects Compulsory Marriage Bill

Marriage bill

Sindh Assembly rejects Compulsory Marriage Bill

KARACHI (June 8, 2021) The Sindh Assembly rejected a bill presented by Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) MPA Syed Abdul Rasheed on Tuesday that sought it mandatory for parents to marry off their children as they turn 18.

The Sindh Compulsory Marriage Bill, 2021 said that if parents of an adult who is not being married off after turning 18 will have to “submit an undertaking with justified reason of delay before the Deputy Commissioner of the District”. Parents who fail to submit the undertaking would have to pay a fine of Rs500 each, it added

Syed Abdul Rasheed told media that the bill is in accordance with Islamic teachings. “Rising rape cases, social ills, immorality and immoral crimes can be reduced by following Sharia teachings…and marrying off children by 18 or puberty.”

Mukesh Chawla, the provincial minister for parliamentary affairs, opposed the bill without giving any reason. Abdul Rasheed asked him reveal his reasons but the minister said he (Rasheed) should first disclose his reason behind tabling the bill.

The bill was rejected by the speaker after the parliamentary minister opposed it.