Sir: Early marriages cause many problems, leading to physical and emotional distress. Moreover, research suggests that girls who marry before 18 are more likely to experience domestic violence than those who marry later. Furthermore, teenage pregnancy is among the leading causes of deaths for girls of ages 15 to 19. Unfortunately, the practice of early marriages is common in many areas of Pakistan. It is estimated that 42 percent girls in Pakistan are married before the age of 18 in Pakistan. Most of the cases of child marriages are reported in the rural areas of Pakistan, especially in the interior Sindh. The practice of child marriages is condemned worldwide, and countries are taking steps to counter the practice. The government needs to outline strict punishment for those violating the law. This is the only way to eliminate this practice from Pakistan. SYED MUHAMMAD AHSAN ALI Karachi