Cabinet nod to amend Muslim marriage law

• Minimum marriageable age 18
• Women to be appointed to Quazi courts

By Kelum Bandara

The Cabinet endorsed the memorandum to amend the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Ordinance increasing  the minimum marriageable age to 18 in keeping with the common law of the country, a minister said.

Currently , the Muslim law provides for those above 12 to be married off . A girl below 12 can be given in marriage only with the approval of a Quazi.

Justice Minister Ali Sabry told the Daily Mirror that it would be mandatory for both sides to place signatures on marriage certificates . 

He said the proposed amendment, if enacted , would provide for the appointment of women as Quazis. Currently, there are only males serving in this capacity . The Minister also said maintenance cases should be referred to the magistrate courts instead of Quazi courts.