Punjab Sets Marriage Age to 18 for All; New Ordinance Introduces Rigorous Jail Terms for Violators.

A landmark legislative shift has taken place in Punjab as Governor Saleem Haider Khan officially promulgated the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026. This new law aims to eliminate gender disparities and provide a robust legal framework to end the practice of underage marriage across the province.

Key Features of the 2026 Ordinance

The ordinance introduces comprehensive changes to age requirements and judicial procedures:

• Uniform Legal Age: The minimum age for marriage is now strictly set at 18 years for both genders, effectively raising the limit for females from the previous 16 years.
• Legal Classification: All offenses under this law are now cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable, ensuring that cases are handled with the highest level of legal seriousness and cannot be settled out of court.
• Expedited Justice: To ensure swift accountability, the ordinance mandates that Courts of Session must conclude legal proceedings within a 90-day period.