This week, the National Assembly of Pakistan unanimously approved the new Christian Marriage Act. The Senate approved it months ago, overriding the previous law on this topic with this final approval. In the case of Christian marriages, the Christian Marriage Act of 1872, which dates back to British colonial rule, was in force until now. 

Under the old law, Christian girls could get married as early as 13 years old and Christian boys at the age of 16. The new Christian Marriage Act raises the minimum age for marriage to 18 in the case of both girls and boys. It states that the marriage can only be registered if both parties are over 18. Furthermore, it says that the court must determine the age based on personal documents such as an ID card, a birth certificate, or other relevant documents. In cases where no document can be presented, the age can be determined by a medical exam report.

The decision of the National Assembly was hailed by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan (CBCP), the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), and other Christians. Bishop Samson Shukardin, president of the CBCP, expressed his gratitude to the Parliament for the new legislation and voiced his hopes for the changes the new Christian Marriage Act could bring.

“This legislation will play a crucial role in protecting our young and minor girls from forced conversions and child marriages. We hope the Government will take further steps to criminalise forced religious conversions.”

In Pakistan, the abduction, forced conversion, and forced marriage of Christian minors are not rare phenomena. Mostly, young girls are being kidnapped and forced into marriage and to convert to Islam. The new Christian Marriage Act provides legal protection from forced marriage and forced conversion and could help to protect and preserve the Christian communities in the country.

Source: Vatican News