QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly has passed a bill aimed at curbing child marriage through a majority vote, despite significant opposition protests. Members of the opposition tore up copies of the legislation and staged a demonstration in front of the Speaker’s dais to express their disapproval.
The session was presided over by Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai. The bill was introduced by Bakht Muhammad Kakar, a government representative, on behalf of the ruling benches. Opponents criticized the bill, calling it un-Islamic and rushed through the legislative process. During the proceedings, opposition members used inappropriate language and tore up the bill’s copies in protest.
Opposition Leader Younis Zehri dismissed the legislation as unsuitable and announced plans to challenge it legally. Despite the uproar and protests, the bill was passed with a majority vote.
Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti emphasized that the government respects the opposition’s stance but reiterated that lawmaking is a constitutional prerogative of the elected government.
