LAHORE: The Government of Punjab has enacted a new law imposing a complete ban on child marriages across the province, setting the minimum marriage age at 18 years for both males and females. The Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026 issued by the Governor of Punjab, was published in an extraordinary gazette and has come into immediate effect.
Under the ordinance anyone below 18 years of age is legally defined as a child and solemnizing or registering a marriage involving minors is strictly prohibited. Adults who contract a marriage with a child face rigorous imprisonment from two to three years and fines up to Rs500,000.
Nikah registrars are barred from registering child marriages with violators facing up to one year in prison and fines of Rs100,000. Guardians or anyone facilitating promoting, or permitting child marriages may also face two to three years’ imprisonment and fines up to Rs500,000.
The ordinance also addresses child abuse linked to child marriages. Any form of cohabitation with a minor will be treated as child abuse. Offenders who coerce groom or force a child into marriage may face five to seven years in prison and fines of at least Rs1 million. Child trafficking for marriage purposes carries a maximum punishment of seven years and heavy financial penalties.
This landmark legislation aims to curb child exploitation and protect the rights of minors across Punjab.
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