By Staff Reporter
PESHAWAR: A provincial cabinet committee in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has approved a draft bill that would for the first time provide legal recognition for marriages among the Kalash, an indigenous people whose ancient culture has long lacked formal protections under the country’s laws.
The approval on Sunday by the Cabinet Committee on Legislation paves the way for the measure, known as the Kalash Marriage Bill, to be presented to the full provincial cabinet and then to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly for a vote.
“After approval from the Cabinet Committee on Legislation, the Kalash Marriage bill is now poised for presentation in the upcoming meeting of the provincial cabinet for tabling in the KP Assembly for voting,” said Qamar Naseem, program manager at Blue Veins and a co-drafter of the legal document.
The Kalash, who number only a few thousand, reside in the remote valleys of Chitral in northern Pakistan. They are known for their distinct ancient Indo-Aryan culture, a polytheistic religion that is a form of animism, a unique language and vibrant festivals. For generations, they have lived in the valleys of Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir, maintaining their identity through religious beliefs, rituals and traditions.
Despite their rich heritage and global recognition, the community has been deprived of a formal legal framework to protect its social and cultural rights. Marriage registration has been one of the most pressing gaps, with Kalash couples lacking a system to officially record their unions, resulting in legal and social complications.
The bill addresses this omission by introducing a legal mechanism for the registration of marriages in accordance with Kalash religious values and customary practices, ensuring both cultural preservation and legal recognition.
“This initiative represents a significant step toward acknowledging and safeguarding the rights of Pakistan’s indigenous peoples,” Naseem said.
He appreciated the government for its commitment and cooperation in moving forward with the legislation. Naseem also thanked Wazirzada, focal person to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister on minority issues; the National Commission for Human Rights; the Local Government Department; and all those who provided support in drafting the bill and its passage through government offices.
He observed that the landmark legislation will provide the Kalash community with indispensable legal protection and a formal registration system for their marriages, respecting their cultural and religious identity.
“It is not only a legal reform but also a recognition of their fundamental rights,” he added.
The measure’s progress comes amid broader efforts in Pakistan to address the needs of minority and indigenous groups, though challenges persist in remote areas like Chitral, where access to government services is limited.
“The progress of the Kalash Marriage Bill marks a turning point for the Kalash people, setting the stage for their cultural traditions to be formally respected and legally recognised within Pakistan’s legislative framework,” Naseem said.
If enacted, the bill could serve as a model for protecting other indigenous customs in the country, advocates say, though its final passage remains subject to assembly debate and approval.
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