Sindh CM Orders Probe into Child Marriages in Dadu District

Sindh's Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has launched an investigation into child marriages in Dadu district after recent media coverage. He tasked Hyderabad's commissioner to report on 45 underage marriages in Khan Muhammad Mallah village, highlighting socio-economic challenges. A committee will conduct a comprehensive inquiry.

Sindh's Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has initiated an investigation into child marriages in the Dadu district, following alarming media reports, according to Dawn News. Shah instructed Hyderabad's commissioner to prepare a detailed report on 45 marriages involving underage girls in Khan Muhammad Mallah village, with 15 weddings taking place in May and June this year.

Parents of these girls explained that they expedited the marriages, often in exchange for money, to alleviate poverty. This reflects the broader socio-economic hardships faced by families in the region. The Chief Minister has called for the formation of a committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the village's situation. He requested an in-depth report on the social, economic, and legal circumstances of the girls involved to address the issue holistically, as reported by Dawn News.

'What is the current condition of the married girls? Submit a report covering every aspect so that the issue can be resolved,' the Chief Minister ordered the commissioner. Additionally, Shah asked for the report to include recommendations and details about whether the married girls were from flood-affected families and the level of aid received.

Child marriages remain a critical problem in parts of Pakistan, which ranks sixth globally in the prevalence of girls married before 18, as per government data from December. Although the legal marriage age varies between 16 to 18 years across different regions, enforcement is inconsistent. UNICEF has noted 'significant strides' in combating child marriage, yet events like the 2022 floods have exacerbated the issue.

'We would expect to see an 18 percent increase in the prevalence of child marriage, equivalent to erasing five years of progress,' UNICEF stated in its report assessing the flood impact, according to ANI.

(With inputs from agencies.)