Pakistan Cleric Vows to Defy Child Marriage, Domestic Violence Laws

• Maulana Fazlur Rehman, JUI-F chief, openly challenged new family law reforms, including the Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2025 and the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2026.
• Rehman declared he would "openly violate" the laws, stating he would personally attend and facilitate marriages involving minors aged 10-16.
• The Domestic Violence Act 2026, passed by Parliament, criminalizes physical, emotional, and psychological abuse within households and sets the minimum marriage age at 18.
• Rehman termed both legislations "unconstitutional and unlawful," arguing they contradict Islamic principles and demanded review by the Council of Islamic Ideology.
• Government sources expressed concern over the state's failure to confront extremist rhetoric, while critics highlight ideological appeasement over women's and child rights.

Why It Matters: Pakistan's top cleric threatens to defy new child marriage and domestic violence laws, sparking national debate.