Mufti Aziz Ur Rehman, a prominent Pakistani cleric, became the center of controversy in May 2023 when a video of him went viral on social media. In the video, Mufti Aziz Ur Rehman could be seen expressing his approval of child marriage and encouraging people to marry their daughters off as young as the age of nine.

The video sparked outrage among people across Pakistan and the world, with many calling for action to be taken against the cleric. Religious figures and human rights activists condemned his statements, with some even calling for his arrest.

Mufti Aziz Ur Rehman initially defended his position, arguing that it was permissible under Islamic law to marry underage girls. However, as the backlash intensified, he later retracted his statements and apologized for his comments.

The incident shone a spotlight on the issue of child marriage in Pakistan, where it remains prevalent despite laws being in place to prohibit the practice. According to UNICEF, Pakistan has the sixth-highest prevalence rate of child marriage globally, with 21% of girls being married before the age of 18.

The controversy surrounding Mufti Aziz Ur Rehman’s video highlights the need for continued efforts to eradicate child marriage in Pakistan and to promote the rights and welfare of girls and women. The incident also underscores the power of social media in shining a light on important issues and holding those in positions of authority accountable for their words and actions.