On Friday morning, President Asif Ali Zardari signed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill which officially restricted marriage for children below 18 years old. The move was hailed by social media users, activists as well as celebrities.
Actress Saba Qamar shared a picture of the bill on her Instagram stories, and called this a beautiful victory on the blessed Friday morning.
“We did it what was right, what was needed. What a beautiful victory on this mubarak Friday,” wrote Saba Qamar.
The ‘Sar-e-Rah’ actress had received praises from social media users and actors alike when she partook in a UNICEF campaign that called for the end of child marriage across the country.
“Millions of girls are silenced before they even find their voice. Child marriage too often robs them of their freedom, education, and health.
Every girl deserves the chance to learn, to grow, to dream… and shape her own future. Together with UNICEF, I’m speaking out so that every girl can live life to her full potential.”
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Actress Zara Noor Abbas shared a clip of the news post announcing the bill’s passing and wrote in the caption “About time”
Actor and activist Nadia Jamil re-shared politician Sherry Rehman’s tweet on her account and wrote: “Proud of you Pakistan.”
Former model and podcast host Frieha Altaf also hailed the decision for restraining young girls and boys from being married early.
Pakistan Peoples Party politician Sherry Rehman announced the news of the bill’s passing in a tweet, hailing it as a proud moment for Pakistan.
“Thank you President Asif Ali Zardari for signing into law the #ChildMarriageRestraint bill despite all pressure! Proud moment for #Pakistan Thank you to all the women and men who made this possible after a long journey of twists and turns,” she tweeted.
Thank you President @AAliZardari for signing into law the #ChildMarriageRestraint bill despite all pressure! Proud moment for #Pakistan
Thank you to all the women and men who made this possible after a long journey of twists and turns. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/pSUr7aBNon— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) May 30, 2025
Journalist Alia Chughtai celebrated the bill’s passing, and urged for better laws that protected underaged girls from child marriages.
“This is the best news. It’s long overdue that girls are protected from child marriages. Enough of the suffering at the hands of men who think an underage child is of marriageable age and they can make decisions for them,” she wrote.
This is the best news. It’s long overdue that girls are protected from child marriages. Enough of the suffering at the hands of men who think an underage child is of marriageable age and they can make decisions for them.
Don’t even start with the technicalities in Islam of… https://t.co/rA9T8G2p6q
— Alia Chughtai (@AliaChughtai) May 30, 2025
Politician Sharmila Faruqi shared a picture of the notification on her Instagram account, and applauded President Asif Ali Zardari for “risen above pressure and political noise to do what is right, just, and humane.”
“This courageous and compassionate act will safeguard millions of girls across Pakistan from exploitation and premature marriage. It is not just a legal milestone—it is a life-saving intervention. With the stroke of a pen, President Zardari has given hope to an entire generation of daughters,” she wrote.
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