IT appears that the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) often takes a liberal stance to appease certain segments of society on issues that attract media or state attention. It should avoid becoming embroiled in controversies, such as the minimum age of marriage or similar matters.

The legal age of maturity at 18 is largely derived from Anglo-Saxon law, and merely endorsing it does not enhance the repute or standing of the CII. At the beginning of the last century, average human life expectancy in most parts of the world was about 20 years shorter than it is today in developed countries.

Married couples often had to raise children earlier in life, given the shorter lifespans. Even today, when average life expectancy in Pakistan remains signi-ficantly lower than in many developed nations, the origins and applicability of such laws warrant closer examination.

Given that some individuals reach maturity at 16, certain countries have even lowered the voting age to 16. Linking marriage strictly to a fixed age merely addresses concerns rooted in Anglo-Saxon legal systems. It is also important to recognise that social media increasingly influences legislators and even some medical professionals.

For example, cannabis has been legalised in certain places despite extensive historical evidence suggesting a link between its use among young people and mental health disorders. The CII should refrain from issuing rulings on controversial matters unless they are supported by rigorous, multidimensional and reliable analysis and thoroughly vetted input from qualified experts in the relevant fields.

M. Shaikh
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2026