The Federal Shariat Court (FSC) Monday announced the reserved verdict regarding minimum age for marriage under Sindh Child Marriages Restraint Act 2013, ruling that the government’s setting of 18 years as the minimum age for marriage was not against Islam, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The verdict was pronounced by the bench consisting of acting Chief Justice Syed Muhammad Anwar and Justice Khadim Hussain M. Sheikh.
The petition had been filed by Arzoo Fatima’s ex-husband Ali Azhar.
“The state has the power to fix the minimum age for marriage. This move of the state is not against Islam,” the court said and rejected the petition filed by Ali Azhar.
It is to be noted here that Ali Azhar had filed a petition against Section 2A and 8 of Sindh Child Marriages Restraint Act 2013.
“Under the Sindh Child Marriages Restraint Act 2013, 18 years as the minimum age for marriage is against Islamic law,” it had been stated in the petition.
Reporter: Mumtaz Jamali