The Punjab Assembly has passed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026 on April 27, 2026. This bill raises the minimum legal age of marriage to 18 for both sexes, aiming to protect underage girls from forced marriages in Pakistan.
Key facts:
- The bill replaces provisions of the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929.
- Individuals involved in underage marriages face up to seven years’ imprisonment and fines of up to 1 million Pakistani rupees.
- Marriage registrars cannot register marriages involving minors, facing penalties of up to one year in prison and fines of 100,000 rupees.
The legislation introduces strict penalties for those facilitating or promoting child marriage. Adults who marry minors face two to three years’ rigorous imprisonment and fines up to 500,000 rupees. Cohabitation resulting from child marriages is treated as child abuse, punishable by five to seven years in prison and a minimum fine of 1 million rupees.
This law also criminalizes child trafficking linked to marriage and imposes liability on parents or guardians who facilitate or fail to prevent underage marriages. Tehmina Arora, a rights advocate, stated that this marks a landmark moment for every girl child across Pakistan whose right to childhood has been denied for too long.
Yet, the real challenge lies in enforcing this law effectively. Samson Salamat highlighted that enforcement will be crucial for its success. The implications of this legislation could extend beyond Punjab, influencing national discussions around child marriage and women’s rights.
