Italian authorities have deported a Pakistani imam, Ali Kashif, following public outrage over undercover television footage in which he reportedly defended the marriage of girls as young as nine to adult men.
The deportation followed an investigation by Italian television programme Fuori dal Coro, which aired footage of Kashif discussing the age at which girls could be considered adults under his interpretation of Islamic teachings.
During the undercover interview, Kashif reportedly argued that a girl could be considered an adult after her first menstruation, suggesting that girls as young as nine could marry adult men. 
His comments triggered widespread criticism and prompted Italian authorities to investigate the matter.
According to Italian media reports published on April 3, 2026, the Brescia Police Headquarters carried out his expulsion on the instructions of Police Commissioner Paolo Sartori.
Authorities reportedly classified Kashif as a potential threat to public safety and social order. His immigration status also became a factor in the decision, as he was reportedly found not to have a valid residence permit.
Following the decision, the Pakistani national was escorted to Milan’s Malpensa Airport and placed on a flight to Islamabad, Pakistan.
Kashif had reportedly served occasionally as an imam at two Islamic centres in Brescia, Italy.
The case has reignited discussions about child protection, religious freedom, immigration enforcement and the responsibility of religious leaders to uphold the laws of the countries where they operate.
Italy’s legal framework prohibits child marriage, and the authorities’ action against Kashif was reportedly based on public-order and immigration provisions.
However, available reports indicate that the deportation was an administrative immigration measure, not a publicly reported criminal conviction.
The development highlights Italy’s position on protecting minors and enforcing its immigration laws, regardless of the religious or cultural arguments advanced in defence of child marriage.
NewsMediang.com reports that the incident has drawn attention to the intersection of child protection, religious interpretations and national laws.
