It is encouraging to see the National Assembly pass the landmark legislation criminalising child marriage in Islamabad—a step long overdue and one that many had despaired would never come. That it did, and with majority support, offers a glimmer of hope in a country often trapped between regressive norms and modern aspirations.

Child marriage is not just a violation of rights—it is a societal failure. It strips children, especially girls, of education, health, and a chance at dignity. It is a cruel tradition that perpetuates poverty, reinforces inequality, and feeds into cycles of abuse. For a nation seeking recognition on the global stage for its advancements—be it in diplomacy, economics, or innovation—this practice has remained a lingering stain and an easy target for criticism.

But let’s be clear: criminalisation, while commendable, is not a panacea. Legal cover alone cannot protect children unless there is serious follow-through in implementation. Loopholes remain, especially in regions outside federal jurisdiction where local customs and narrow interpretations of religion hold more sway than the law of the land. And in such places, enforcement agencies are often reluctant—if not outright complicit—in letting child marriages continue unchecked.

Hence, while the law sends an important message, the real work lies ahead. Communities need to be educated, clerics engaged, and local leadership sensitised. We hope that civil society will play its part, and that the state will invest in awareness campaigns and support mechanisms for vulnerable children.

A society that permits the marriage of its children is one that silently condones their exploitation. Let this law be the start of a cultural shift—one rooted not only in legislation, but in the collective conscience of a country finally choosing to grow up.