PESHAWAR: Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), has declared that they reject the Child Marriage Act. He criticized the enactment of laws in the country that contradict the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah, emphasizing that Islam does not specify an age for marriage; rather, it stipulates that the individual must reach maturity (bulugh).
During a press conference in Peshawar, Maulana Fazlur Rehman asserted that no law contrary to the Quran and Sunnah can be legislated in Pakistan. He pointed out that the Islamic Ideological Council has rejected this law, yet despite their objections, the President of Pakistan has signed it into law. He further stated that punishments such as imprisonment and fines are being imposed for acts that are legally permissible under Sharia law.
He reiterated that the true criterion for marriage is not age but maturity. According to Islamic teachings, once a boy or girl reaches maturity, they are eligible to marry. He highlighted that children under 18 are being barred from marriage and appealed to the public on this matter. The party plans to hold rallies across various provinces and will organize a conference in the Hazara division on June 29.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman also criticized the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), suggesting that they aim to project a secular image, but questioned why the Pakistan Muslim League (N) seems to be endorsing such measures. He accused the government of opening avenues for immoral acts and making marriage difficult, lamenting that Pakistan, founded on Islamic principles, is gradually losing its Islamic identity. He pointed out that sometimes FATF and IMF are used as pretexts to justify changes to Islamic laws.
In response to a question, he claimed that the PPP’s protests are not genuinely against corruption but stem from frustration over their record being challenged. He asserted that until their government is established in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), corruption cannot be eradicated. He recalled that during the MMA era, they faced character assassination, yet not a single FIR was filed against them.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman called for judicial investigations into ongoing issues, mentioning that in the Kohistan financial scandal involving 4 billion rupees, 2 billion rupees have already been recovered.He emphasized that the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan is vital. He noted that while Pakistani scholars previously issued fatwas, Afghan scholars have now also urged armed groups to cease fighting within Pakistan.
