Cultural and Religious Delusions in Perpetuating Underage Marriages: A Socio-Legal Inquiry into Structural Barriers to Reform in Pakistan

Underage marriage, a deeply entrenched issue in Pakistan, persists as a significant social, legal, and human rights concern. Despite being a signatory to numerous international conventions, Pakistan continues to grapple with widespread child marriages, particularly in rural and marginalized regions. This study critically examines the persistence of underage marriage in Pakistan, despite nearly a century of legislative efforts aimed at its eradication. Drawing on secondary data, policy reviews, and scholarly literature, it explores the cultural, religious, patriarchal, and institutional drivers that perpetuate this harmful practice. Deeply embedded traditions, religious misinterpretations, and gender inequality continue to normalize early marriages. The findings of this study highlight how weak law enforcement, gaps in birth and marriage registration, judicial reluctance, and institutional fragmentation undermine the effectiveness of legal deterrents. While the 2025 Child Marriage Restraint Amendment offers new opportunities through legal uniformity, criminalization, and institutional empowerment, significant challenges remain, especially provincial resistance, religious opposition, and lack of localized awareness. The study recommends multi-pronged reforms, including the establishment of fast-track courts, biometric-linked registration, community-based awareness initiatives, spiritual engagement, and the integration of gender rights education. Ultimately, the study argues that legal reform must be complemented by cultural transformation, institutional coordination, and grassroots empowerment to uphold the rights, dignity, and development of girls in Pakistan.