Qari Muhammad Yaqub Sheikh, the Joint Secretary of Pakistan Central Muslim League and Chairman of the Scholars and Elders Wing, has declared the bill prohibiting child marriage as an attack on the Shariah of Muhammad ?, the Quran and Sunnah, and the Islamic family system. He stated that according to Shariah, the condition for marriage is not age but puberty.
Qari Yaqub Sheikh expressed regret over the punishments included in this bill, such as imprisonment for officiating a marriage, fines, and declaring parents and guardians as criminals, considering them an antiIslamic stance. He said that such laws promote social decay by criminalizing marriage.
He further stated that Islamic society ensures purity and protection through marriage, while this law is increasing social disorder.
Qari Yaqub Sheikh demanded that the bill be immediately withdrawn and that any legislation be subject to the approval of the Islamic Ideology Council. He warned that the Pakistan Central Muslim League, along with religious and political parties, will determine the future course of action if the bill is not withdrawn.