LAHORE (HRNW): The Punjab Assembly has passed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026 by a majority vote, incorporating various suggestions from both treasury and opposition benches. The new legislation imposes a strict ban on marriages of individuals under the age of 18 throughout the province. Under the law, it is now mandatory for both the bride and groom to be at least 18 years old at the time of marriage.
The bill defines child marriage as a punishable offense to be prosecuted under the Criminal Act, with the court being responsible for the protection of any child affected by a forced marriage. To ensure effective implementation, the law establishes the following penalties:
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Nikkah Registrars and Officiants: Any registrar or cleric who solemnizes a child marriage will face a minimum of one year in prison and a fine of 100,000 rupees.
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Adult Spouses: Any person who marries an individual under the age of 18 will be subject to three years of imprisonment and a fine of 500,000 rupees.
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Severe Offense Classification: Marrying a child under 18 will be categorized as a form of abuse, carrying a harsh penalty of seven years in prison and a fine of 1,000,000 rupees.
According to officials, this legislation aims to protect the fundamental rights of children and effectively eradicate the trend of early marriages in society.
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