New Ordinance Aims to Align Province with Federal and Sindh Laws
The Punjab government is set to introduce a stringent new ordinance that will criminalize marriage involving any individual under the age of 18. The proposed Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance, to be tabled in the upcoming session of the Punjab Assembly, represents a significant step in the province’s efforts to combat child marriage.
Key Provisions and Penalties
According to the draft legislation, adults aged 18 or above who marry a minor will face a minimum of two years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 500,000. The law also targets facilitators:
- Parents or guardians who arrange or facilitate a child’s marriage may receive two to three years in prison.
- In a critical provision, cohabitation or a conjugal relationship with a minor spouse will be treated as child abuse, punishable by five to seven years’ imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 1 million.
- Nikah registrars solemnizing underage marriages face up to one year in jail and a Rs 100,000 fine.
Legal Procedures and Protections
The ordinance mandates that all cases be tried by sessions courts, with a requirement to conclude trials and announce verdicts within 90 days. Courts will also have the authority to issue orders to stop underage marriages if they become aware of such arrangements. Informants may request confidentiality, and courts must ensure their protection.
Broader Legal Context
This move brings Punjab in line with existing federal legislation and laws already enforced in Sindh. In May of last year, Parliament passed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill, setting the national minimum marriage age at 18 and imposing penalties, including up to three years of rigorous imprisonment for violators.
The proposed ordinance underscores a growing legislative push across Pakistan to eradicate child marriage, focusing on severe penalties for offenders and expedited judicial processes to enforce the law effectively.
