Summary Punjab Assembly bans marriage under 18, sets strict penalties including jail and fines, declares child marriage punishable offense, replaces Child Marriage Act 1929
LAHORE (Dunya News) - The Punjab Assembly has passed a bill to prevent child marriages, imposing a ban on marriages under the age of 18.
According to the text of the bill, marriage of individuals below 18 years of age will not be allowed in Punjab, and it has been declared mandatory for both the bride and groom to be at least 18 years old at the time of Nikah.
The bill states that in cases of forced marriage, the affected child will be provided protection by the court. Child marriage has been declared a punishable offense, with legal action to be taken under criminal law, and marriage under 18 will be treated as a form of sexual abuse.
Under the law, anyone marrying a minor will face up to three years in prison and a fine of Rs500,000. Similarly, taking a minor from Punjab to another province for marriage will result in up to seven years imprisonment and a fine of Rs1 million.
The bill further states that Nikah registrars and parents will also fall under the law. Guardians of such children may face up to two years in prison and a fine of Rs500,000, while those registering or conducting underage marriages may face at least one year imprisonment and a fine of Rs100,000.
Additionally, the final approval of the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026 will be granted by the Governor of Punjab, after which the Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929 will be considered repealed.
