Punjab’s Standing Committee on Local Government and Community Development has approved a bill setting the minimum legal age of marriage at 18 for both boys and girls across the province, replacing the earlier provision that allowed girls to marry at 16.
The committee unanimously passed the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026 during a meeting chaired by MPA Muhammad Ashraf Rasool.
Read More: Govt Announces Load Shedding Schedule Across Pakistan
Under the proposed law, child marriage has been declared a cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable offence, enabling immediate police action and removing the possibility of out-of-court settlements.
The bill also proposes strict penalties for those involved in facilitating child marriages, including parents, guardians, Nikah registrars and other facilitators, with punishments of up to seven years in prison and fines of up to Rs. 1 million.
It further classifies cohabitation following such marriages as child abuse, carrying stricter legal consequences, and directs courts to decide related cases within 90 days.
During the meeting, the committee directed the secretary of local government to finalize draft rules under the bill within 60 days and present them for approval.
Members observed that the legislation would play a key role in curbing child marriages, addressing gender disparity and strengthening legal protections for children across Punjab.
