LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Local Government and Community Development has approved the Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026, which sets the minimum legal age of marriage at 18 years for both males and females in the province.
The meeting was chaired by PML-N MPA Pir Ashraf Rasool, and members of the Women Parliamentary Caucus were also invited to observe the proceedings. During the session, the committee reviewed the bill aimed at eliminating underage marriages and promoting child protection in Punjab.
The legislation replaces the earlier legal framework under which the minimum marriage age was 18 for men and 16 for women. With the new bill, the age has been equalised at 18 years for both genders, marking a significant legal shift in the province’s marriage laws.
After approval by the standing committee, the bill will now be presented before the Punjab Assembly for final approval before it becomes law.However, during discussions, committee chairperson Pir Ashraf Rasool and member Zulfiqar Shah opposed the bill, arguing that it was unconstitutional.
Shah also stated that marriage under Islamic law is linked to puberty and suggested that socio-economic conditions of families should be considered.Other members of the committee rejected the proposal for exceptions, warning that it could lead to misuse of the law.
Rasool later indicated he would continue opposing the bill in the Assembly through amendments.The bill also includes strict legal provisions regarding child marriage. It bars nikah registrars from solemnising underage marriages and proposes imprisonment of up to one year and fines of up to Rs100,000 for violations.It further states that adults involved in marrying a child may face rigorous imprisonment of two to three years along with a fine of up to Rs500,000.
Additionally, cohabitation resulting from a child marriage is classified as “child abuse,” carrying penalties of five to seven years’ imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs1 million.The legislation also introduces strict punishment for child trafficking linked to marriage and holds guardians legally responsible for promoting or failing to prevent child marriage.
All offences under the bill have been declared cognisable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable. Cases will be tried exclusively by Courts of Session, and proceedings must be completed within 90 days.The bill is part of wider efforts in Punjab to strengthen child protection laws and eliminate child marriage through stricter enforcement and harsher penalties.