Pakistan, May 20 -- ISLAMABAD - In a major step for child rights, the Senate on Monday passed a historic bill banning the marriage of anyone under 18 in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). The bill sets strict penalties for violators, aiming to end the harmful practice of child marriage in the federal capital.

The bill, introduced by PPP Senator Sherry Rehman, was passed during a tense Upper House session marked by intense debate. Rehman highlighted the dangers faced by underage girls, including high maternal mortality. "Many girls as young as 16 become mothers and lose their lives during childbirth," she said, calling the bill a long-overdue necessity.

Now that the bill has cleared both the National Assembly and the Senate, it will soon...