RAWALPINDI: Speakers urged the society to abolish the practice of child marriage and demanded of the government to legislate against this brutal crime.
Addressing a press conference on demanding law to eliminate child marriage arranged by Bedari, a non-governmental organisation, and funded by UNFPA here at a local hotel on Wednesday, they said the government must step forward to secure child rights in the country. The representatives of civil society organisations and people from other walks of life were also present on the occasion.
“The government must ensure child rights protection and should declare severe punishment for the culprits of child marriages including the parents of bride and groom, the NikahKhwan, and the Nikah Registrar,” it was stressed.
It was the common stand of Bedari that along with bringing any changes in the law to prevent child marriages, society as a whole should be made aware.
The ED Bedari said that the child marriages were violation of the international convention that has been signed by Pakistan; however 40 per cent Pakistani girls are married under 18 years of age.
