ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) has allowed 15 years old girl to live with her husband. IHC has remarked during hearing of under age marriage related case that underage marriage is not invalid in Islam but it is offence under law. It has been said in the decision that Madiha Bibi in her statement has expressed desire to live with her husband and not to return to her parents . During her stay in Crisis centre the girl asked to live with her husband of her own free will. . As per Shariah, Nikah with mutual consent is valid after reaching stage of puberty. According to court’s decision marriage below the age of 18 years is offence under Child Marriage Restraint Act-2025. In Nikah Nama the age of bride was mentioned about 18 years while as per NADRA record her age is 15 years. The references to child marriage restraint act 1929 and Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961 have been included in the decision. The court while giving recommendations in its decision directed to send its copy to all respective ministries and family courts judges. The court said in its recommendations it should be made binding on Nikah registrars not to register marriage below 18 years. NADRA system be improved in this way that nikah nama is not issued without verification of age. Awareness campaign be launched among the people so that harms of under age marriage could be avoided. The court ordered a copy of this decision be sent to law and justice commission of Pakistan, ministry of law and ministry of human rights, interior ministry, chief commissioner Islamabad, DG NADRA and secretary Council of Islamic Ideology. DNA
