Balochistan Assembly Passes Child Marriage Bill Amid Uproar, Opposition Vows Court Challenge

QUETTA, Nov 15: The Balochistan Assembly on Friday passed the Child Marriage Prohibition Bill with a majority vote, despite fierce resistance and dramatic scenes led by opposition lawmakers, who tore copies of the bill, encircled the speaker’s dais, and shouted slogans throughout the session.

The proceedings, chaired by Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, were disrupted soon after the draft law—which seeks to outlaw child marriage in the province—was presented. Opposition members from the JUI-F and other parties termed the legislation “un-Islamic” and accused the government of promoting a Western agenda.

Leader of the Opposition Younis Zehri of the JUI-F denounced the bill as being “against the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah” and claimed it had been pushed merely to satisfy a non-governmental organisation. In response, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti dismissed the allegation, stating that the Federal Shariat Court’s judgement on the matter had already provided clear guidance. “The Shariat Court is the highest authority on such issues, and its judgement has been conveyed,” he told the House.

As tensions escalated, Mr Zehri tore up the session’s agenda documents. Other opposition lawmakers hurled ripped copies of the bill into the air and continued raising slogans, forcing repeated pauses in the proceedings. However, government members persisted, and the bill was ultimately passed with majority support.

Opposition MPA Asghar Tareen said the passage of the bill would not end the matter. “We will challenge this bill in court,” he declared, accusing the government of bulldozing legislation without consensus. Heated exchanges between treasury and opposition benches continued even after the vote.

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Due to the disruptions, three resolutions scheduled for the day could not be taken up. The House, however, managed to address questions related to delayed laptop distribution in Panjgur, sports funding in Gwadar, and departmental performance concerns.

The assembly also offered condolences for the deaths of Senator Irfan Siddiqui and Agha Siraj Durrani, and paid tribute to martyrs of recent terror attacks.

Speaking to reporters after the session, CM Bugti reaffirmed that legislation was the constitutional right of the provincial assembly. He noted that the bill had been under committee review for six months and approved by the cabinet before being tabled. “Dissent is part of democracy, and protest is the right of the opposition, but legislation is carried out in the people’s best interest,” he said, adding that the government remained open to dialogue.

The speaker adjourned the session until Nov 17.

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