CHILD MARRIAGE IN PAKISTAN: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS IN THE LIGHT OF SOCIO-LEGAL AND RELIGIOUS CONTEXT

Abstract

The UN has declared the decade 2020-2030 a target to eliminate child marriage. In Pakistan, the practice of child marriage is very common and is considered as a socio-religious recommended practice and many children particularly, girls got married before 18 years of their ages. In this context, this research, aims to analyze the issue its cultural, legal and religious context. By exploring the issue in the light of the provisions of the Qur’an and the Sunnah (PBUH), this article concludes that the practice of child marriage is against the fundamental rights of the children and harmful in many aspects. Further, this practice is not a recommended practice in Islam. Hence, awareness should be widespread among the people.