The provincial government of Sindh is preparing to make premarital counselling mandatory for all couples before their marriage registration. The proposed Premarital and Marital Counselling Bill, 2025 — unveiled by Azra Fazal Pechuho (Health Minister) and Nasir Hussain Shah (Local Government Minister) — will cover topics such as family planning, reproductive and maternal health, mental well-being, newborn vaccination, breastfeeding rights, and healthy communication between spouses.
Officials highlighted that the initiative aims to curb high-risk pregnancies, reduce unsafe abortions, promote informed decision-making, and support healthier family structures. The bill also aims to raise awareness about the risks of cousin marriages and genetic disorders, and to dispel misconceptions about gender determination at birth. Pilot counselling programmes have begun in Karachi South and Tando Allahyar under newly developed training modules.