The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) declared the Child Marriage Restraint Bill violated Islamic law and called it “blasphemous.”
The CII advises the legislature on whether a certain law adheres to Sharia law. Following the CII ruling, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony rejected the bill.
The ruling-party lawmaker who pushed the bill then withdrew her proposal after facing fierce criticism.
The CII claims that children as young as nine-years-old are eligible for marriage as long as “signs of puberty are visible.”
About two years ago, the CII rejected a similar bill on religious grounds.
Back then, CII Chairman Mohammad Khan Sheerani told the National Assembly that the council had solidified its views on the matter and the suggested law should not be discussed anymore.
Although the CII is not binding on Parliament, it is highly influential in creating law.
