A new law banning child marriage in Pakistan has been criticised by a prominent council for being 'un-Islamic'.
Pakistan's government last week passed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill, which aims to put an end to minors being forced into marriages and cohabitation with adults.
Researchers and activists point to a range of factors contributing to Pakistan's soaring child marriage rate, including religion, long-entrenched societal and gender norms, and rampant poverty.
Naseema Ehsan, 50, told the Senate: 'I got married at 13 years old and I want child marriage to be banned.
Ehsan added: 'I've never been so content to vote for a bill as the child marriage restraint bill,' in comments to The Guardian.
Senator Naseema Ehsan, 50, said: 'I got married at 13 years old and I want child marriage to be banned.
The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also drafted a child marriage restriction bill, though it is yet to be passed. »