On Tuesday, President Asif Ali Zardari signed the Christian Marriage (Amendment) Act 2024 into law, raising the minimum marriage age for Christian men and women to eighteen years.
During a special ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Zardari gave his assent to the Act under Article 75 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The Act amends Section 60 of the Christian Marriage Act of 1872, which previously set the minimum marriage age at sixteen for men and thirteen for women.
In his speech, President Zardari advocated for increasing the employment quota for minorities in all government jobs, announcing his intention to write to the government on this matter. He emphasized that minorities are equal citizens with the same rights as everyone else.
President Zardari reassured minorities not to be discouraged by isolated incidents, affirming their equal stake in the nation.
Bishop Abraham Daniel, speaking at the event, expressed gratitude for the amendment, noting that raising the marriage age has been a long-standing demand of the Christian community. He also thanked President Zardari for his past efforts, including the reservation of a 5% job quota for minorities, special seats in the Senate, and the declaration of August 11 as Minorities’ Day.
Zulfiquar Haider, Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony, reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting minority rights in line with the Constitution and the vision of the country’s founding fathers.
The ceremony was attended by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Secretary Zulfiquar Haider, members of the Christian community, and senior government officials.
