ISLAMABAD – The Senate approved a bill banning child labour in Islamabad. The bill was presented by Senator Fauzia Arshad.
According to the bill, no child under the age of 14 will be allowed to work. Children above 14 years can only work in safe conditions, and their jobs must not harm their education.
The law states that children over 14 years cannot work for more than three hours a day and will not be allowed to work between 7 pm and 8 am.
Strict punishments have been proposed for those who violate the law. Hiring a child under 14 years will lead to six months in jail and a fine of Rs50,000. Forcing a child into hazardous work will carry a punishment of up to three years in jail and a fine of Rs100,000.
The bill also sets heavy penalties for the worst forms of child exploitation. Using children for slavery, forced labour, or armed conflicts will result in a fine of Rs1 million and three years in jail.
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Similarly, using children for pornography or drug-related activities will also be punishable with three years in jail and a fine of Rs1 million.
In an earlier development in May 2025, the Senate also passed a separate bill banning child marriage across the country. The bill, presented by Senator Sherry Rehman, declared marriage under the age of 18 a criminal offence.
The bill defined a child as any individual under 18 years. It made it mandatory for the Nikah registrar to verify the national identity cards of both bride and groom before solemnising marriage. In case of violation, the Nikah registrar could face up to one year in jail and a fine of Rs100,000.
If an adult man married a girl below 18, he would face up to three years of rigorous imprisonment. Any physical relations between children under 18 would be treated as child abuse.
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Forcing a child into marriage could lead to seven years in jail and a fine of Rs1 million. Child marriage for the purpose of trafficking would also carry a seven-year jail term and heavy fines, while anyone assisting such a marriage could face up to three years in jail.
Parents or guardians allowing or arranging child marriage could also face three years of rigorous imprisonment and fines.
The law authorised courts to stop a child marriage if reported. The courts could also protect the identity of the person who reported the case. Child marriage was declared a non-bailable offence, and courts were directed to decide such cases within 90 days.
