Govt proposes law to fix marriage age at 18 in Punjab

A Punjab Assembly standing committee has approved the Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026, setting 18 as the minimum marriage age for both boys and girls.

This bold law scraps the old rule setting girls’ minimum marriage age at 16. Now, it protects kids fully. Lawmakers declare child marriage a serious crime. Police act fast without bail or court deals. No easy escapes for offenders. Anyone aiding child marriage faces heat. Adult spouses, parents, guardians, registrars, or helpers risk up to seven years in jail.

Courts slap fines up to Rs1 million too. Living together after such a marriage counts as child abuse. Punishments hit harder here. Judges must wrap cases in just 90 days for quick justice. MPA Muhammad Ashraf Rasool chairs the key meeting. Provincial local government minister and officials join in. They order the Secretary Local Government to draft rules within 60 days for approval.

This bill fights child marriages head-on. It wipes out gender gaps and shields young lives. Punjab leads in child rights. Families celebrate the change. Girls gain time for school, dreams, and growth. Boys benefit too from fair rules. Experts praise the strict penalties. They deter forced unions and empower communities. Education spreads as kids stay in class longer.

Punjab sets a national example. Other provinces watch closely. Strong enforcement makes the law stick. Government urges awareness drives. Villages learn the rules to stop old habits. Hotline reports help police act swiftly. This victory builds safer futures. Healthy, educated youth drive Pakistan forward.