A parliamentary committee has called for a Uniform Marriage Age across Pakistan. It directed the Ministry of Human Rights to work with all provinces to develop a common legal framework for marriage laws.
The directive was issued during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights. The meeting was chaired by MNA Asiya Naz Tanoli and attended by committee members and ministry officials.
Members expressed concern over the different legal marriage ages set by the federal government and the provinces. They said these differences create confusion and make the implementation of laws more difficult. The committee stressed that a Uniform Marriage Age could help ensure consistency across the country.
The committee instructed the Ministry of Human Rights to coordinate with provincial governments. Officials were asked to hold consultations and prepare recommendations for a common legal standard. The goal is to reduce legal differences while improving policy implementation.
During the meeting, the committee also appreciated the Ministry of Human Rights for successfully hosting the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women in Islamabad. Members said the conference highlighted important issues related to women’s development and participation.
According to the committee, the event promoted discussions on women’s socioeconomic empowerment, digital inclusion, and political participation. Members said such initiatives support efforts to improve opportunities for women across Pakistan.
The committee also reviewed the performance of ministries and departments responsible for addressing social issues. Members expressed concern over weak coordination among institutions. They noted that many government policies remain limited to official documents and are not fully implemented at the grassroots level.
Committee members said stronger cooperation is needed to improve the effectiveness of government efforts. They stressed that better coordination can help ensure that policies produce practical results for the public.
The Ministry of Human Rights was directed to strengthen coordination with relevant ministries and departments. The committee said this would improve efforts to address rape, harassment, child abuse, drug abuse, and begging through a more coordinated approach.
The committee also instructed the ministry to launch a nationwide public awareness campaign. The campaign should educate citizens about the ministry’s services and available support. Members said greater public awareness can improve access to government assistance and strengthen institutional performance.
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The committee concluded that adopting a Uniform Marriage Age and improving coordination among government institutions could support more effective law enforcement and better policy implementation. It also emphasized that stronger public awareness and cooperation between federal and provincial authorities are important for protecting human rights and improving governance across Pakistan.
