• Opposition lawmakers tear copies of the bill, surround speaker’s dais, shout slogans during the session
• JUI-F’s Younis Zehri terms the bill ‘against Islamic teachings’
• CM Bugti cites Shariat Court’s judgement in response
• Opposition vows to challenge legislation in court

QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly on Friday adopted the Child Marriage Prohibition Bill with majority votes amid strong protests by opposition members.

The presentation and passage of the bill triggered heated scenes in the House, with opposition lawmakers shouting slogans and creating a ruckus. During the chaos, opposition members encircled the speaker’s dais and tore copies of the bill.

The session, chaired by Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, began with the draft law on banning child marriage being presented to the House.

Speaking on the bill, Leader of the Opposition Younis Zehri of the JUI-F said the legislation was against the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah and was being introduced merely to please a non-governmental organisation. Responding to this, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that the Shariat Court was the highest authority on such matters and its judgement had already been conveyed.

Mr Zehri tore up the agenda documents in protest. As the bill was being presented, opposition members continued their agitation, tearing copies of the bill and throwing them in the air. Despite the uproar, the Child Marriage Prohibition Bill was approved by the assembly.

Opposition MPA Asghar Tareen stated that although the bill had been passed, the opposition would challenge it in court. Heated exchanges also took place between government and opposition members during the session.

During the session, issues regarding the delay in laptop distribution for students in Panjgur, sports activities and funding in Gwadar, and various points of order and departmental questions were addressed. However, three resolutions could not be presented due to disruptions during the approval of the Child Marriage Prohibition Bill.

Condolence

The House also condoled the deaths of Senator Irfan Siddiqui and Agha Siraj Durrani, and members paid tribute to those martyred in recent terrorist incidents.

Leader of the Opposition Younis Zehri criticised the Planning and Development Department for providing incorrect information on its projects, saying it undermined both his and the assembly’s privileges.

The speaker ruled that a proper response would be provided in the next session and that accountability would follow in case of negligence.

Speaking to the media after the session, CM Bugti reaffirmed the provincial assembly’s constitutional right to legislate following the passage of the child marriage bill.

“Legislation is the constitutional right of the government, and the provincial assembly exercised that right today,” he said.

He noted that the bill had been passed with majority votes, calling it a symbol of the strength of the democratic process.

CM Bugti emphasised that protest was the democratic right of the opposition, which the government respected. He assured that dialogue and negotiation would remain open.

He underlined that while dissent is part of democracy, legislation is always carried out in the best interest of the people.

He clarified that the bill had been under committee review for six months and was approved by the Balochistan Cabinet before being passed in the Assembly.

He stressed that the government prioritises consensus-based legislation, ensuring every bill undergoes extensive consultation and transparent procedures.

CM Bugti assured the public that the government was working with sincerity and responsibility for the development and welfare of Balochistan, and that the legislative process would continue without interruption.

Later, the speaker adjourned the session until November 17.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2025