Punjab Assembly panel clears bill setting marriage age at 18 for boys and girls

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Local Government and Community Development on Monday approved the Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026, which fixes 18 as the minimum legal age of marriage for both males and females in the province.

The meeting was chaired by PML-N MPA Pir Ashraf Rasool, while members of the Women Parliamentary Caucus were also invited to observe the proceedings.

Under the earlier Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929, the minimum marriage age in Punjab was 18 for men and 16 for women. That position changed in February when Punjab Governor Saleem Haider promulgated the Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026 as an ordinance.

The ordinance is due to lapse in May, 90 days after its promulgation, making approval by the Punjab Assembly necessary for it to remain in force. After clearing the standing committee, the bill will now be sent to the provincial assembly for final approval.

Committee discussion and objections

During deliberations, the standing committee said the proposed law was intended to prevent underage marriages, eliminate gender-based discrimination and strengthen child protection laws in Punjab.

The committee also directed the Punjab local government secretary to prepare the final draft of the rules under the proposed law and submit them to the committee within 60 days for approval.

However, the bill was opposed by committee chairperson Pir Ashraf Rasool and member Zulfiqar Shah, who argued that it conflicted with the Constitution. Rasool submitted his reservations in a three-page document.

Shah said the bill was a “contravention to the Constitution that allows every citizen to practice his/ her religion freely“

He also argued that, under Islamic law, marriage was permissible upon attaining puberty.

Shah sought the inclusion of exceptions in the proposed legislation, saying the socio-economic circumstances of parents of an underage bride should also be considered.

“Poor parents tend to marry their daughters early; they neither have resources for providing for the girl nor to ensure their safetY”, he said.

Other members of the committee opposed that suggestion, saying any exceptions would create room for misuse of the law. Shah later said he would challenge the matter in the House by moving an amendment bill.

Key provisions of the bill

The bill prohibits nikah khawans, or marriage registrars, from registering child marriages. It proposes punishment of up to one year in prison and a fine of Rs100,000 for violations.

Adults who contract marriage with a child would face rigorous imprisonment of up to three years, but not less than two years, along with a fine of up to Rs500,000.

The proposed law also classifies cohabitation resulting from a child marriage as child abuse. The offence would carry a prison term of five to seven years and a minimum fine of Rs1 million.

In addition, the bill provides strict penalties for child trafficking linked to marriage and places responsibility on guardians for promoting or failing to stop underage marriages.

It states that if a guardian or any other person, whether acting in a lawful or unlawful capacity, promotes child marriage or child abuse, permits a child marriage to be solemnised, or intentionally or negligently fails to prevent it, that person would face rigorous imprisonment ranging from two to three years and a fine of up to Rs500,000.

All offences under the proposed law have been declared cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable. The cases would be tried exclusively by Courts of Session, and proceedings would have to be concluded within 90 days.