LAHORE (Kashmir English): The Punjab government is all set to criminalise marriages involving anyone under the age of 18 through a new ordinance in a move to curb child marriage.
Conjugal relations with minor spouse will be treated as child abuse, with minimum five-year jail term.
According to media reports, under the proposed Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance, any person aged 18 or above who marries a minor will face at least two years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs500,000.
facilitating child marriage is also a crime now
The proposed legislation also targets facilitators, as parents or guardians who facilitate a child’s marriage may face two to three years in jail.
In a key provision, the legislation stipulates that cohabitation or a conjugal relationship with a minor after such a marriage will be treated as child abuse, punishable with five to seven years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs1 million.
Under the proposed law, all such cases will be tried by sessions courts, and the court will be bound to conclude the trial and announce a verdict within 90 days. It is to mention that similar legislation is already in force in Islamabad and Sindh.
In May 2025, Parliament passed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill, setting the minimum age for marriage at 18. Under the law, a man above 18 who marries an underage girl may face up to three years of rigorous imprisonment.
Nikah registrars have also been warned of one year in prison and a fine of Rs one lak for solemnising a marriage involving bride or the groom under 18.
The courts will also be authorized to stop such marriages if it becomes aware that an underage marriage is being arranged or has taken place.
Any person informing the court may request confidentiality, and the court will be required to ensure their protection.
