As it addressed uncertainty in the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday outlawed marriage of minors under the age of 18, even if it is a free will marriage.
Mumtaz Bibi’s plea for the return of her daughter from Darul Aman was heard by an IHC court led by Justice Babar Sattar, who gave a thorough verdict.
In May 2021, a case against the kidnapping of the youngster was filed in Islamabad’s Golra police station.
The court ordered the SHO of the Golra police station to hand over Saweera Falak Shabbir, 16, to her mother in Darul Aman.
The adolescent had previously admitted to the court that she had solemnised a free will marriage.
Children under the age of 18 are not allowed to marry, according to the court.
It further said that a female under the age of 18 years old is unable to solemnise a free will marriage.
Physical changes, according to the court, are unrelated to the onset of puberty.
