Asia

Pakistan passes law barring marriage of under-18 Christians, raising hopes for protection from forced marriages, conversions

Pakistan passes law barring marriage of under-18 Christians, raising hopes for protection from forced marriages, conversions

The National Assembly of Pakistan has passed a law raising the legal marriage age to 18 for boys and girls belonging to the Christian community, bringing Christian marriage laws in conformity with Pakistan’s child protection and human rights standards. The bill titled ‘Christian Marriage (Amendment) Act, 2024’ -- presented by a Christian member of the National Assembly, Naveed Amir Jeeva, updates the Christian Marriage Act of 1872, which previously set the marriage age at 16 for boys and 13 for

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