Underage marriage to be consider null and void in Baluchistan 

Details of the Underage Marriage Bill, passed by the Balochistan Assembly, came to light under which any person involved in an underage marriage contract will be punished with strict imprisonment and fine, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.

According to the laws, underage marriage will not only be severely punished in Balochistan but also will be considered null and void.

The Balochistan Assembly passed a law banning underage marriage yesterday.

According to the law, a child will mean a person who is below the age of 18.

Child marriage means a marriage in which one of the contracting parties is a child.

According to the law, the contracting party means the party who has been or is about to be married.

Any person or organisation can file a complaint against underage marriage.

According to the law, those who are involved in such contracts will be punished with imprisonment for two to three years and a fine of Rs100,000 to Rs300,000.

Those who arrange and encourage underage marriages will also be punished. Two to three years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs100,000 to Rs300,000 has been proposed for such people.

Nikah Khawans, Nikah Registrars and Union Council Secretaries will be required to keep copies of computerised identity cards and proof of marriage.

Any negligence in this regard will be punishable.

Those guilty of negligence can be punished with one year of imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs100,000.

In case of danger to the life of the child, the marriage will already be considered null and void.

In case of danger of the child being forcibly taken away, sold or smuggled, the marriage will also be null and void.

Reporter: Essa Tareen