Punjab Enacts Historic 2026 Ordinance: Under-18 Marriage Now a Major Crime. -

In a landmark move for child protection, Punjab Governor Saleem Haider Khan officially signed the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026 into law on February 11, 2026. This progressive legislation eliminates previous gender-based age distinctions, setting a uniform minimum marriage age of 18 years for both males and females across the province.

Stringent Legal Penalties

The new ordinance introduces severe consequences for those involved in contracting or facilitating underage unions:

For Contracting Adults: Any adult who marries a minor faces rigorous imprisonment of two to three years and a fine of up to Rs 500,000.
For Facilitators and Promoters: Individuals who promote or facilitate a child marriage, including parents or guardians, are liable for two to three years of imprisonment and fines of up to Rs 500,000.
Nikah Registrars: Marriage registrars (Nikah Khawans) are strictly barred from registering marriages for anyone under 18. Violators face up to one year in prison, a fine of Rs 100,000, and permanent license cancellation.
Child Abuse Classification: Cohabitation resulting from child marriage is now classified as “child abuse,” punishable by five to seven years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 1 million.

Swift Justice and Enforcement

To ensure effective implementation and prevent prolonged legal battles, the ordinance includes specific procedural safeguards:

Session Court Trials: All cases under this ordinance will be tried exclusively in Courts of Session.
90-Day Verdict: Courts are mandated to conclude cases within a 90-day period.
Non-Bailable Offense: All violations are classified as cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable, meaning police can register cases immediately without prior court approval, and parties cannot reach private settlements.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes and is based on publicly available reports regarding the proposed Punjab ordinance. The specific legal provisions and enforcement dates are subject to the final gazette notification by the provincial government. Please note that the background image is AI-generated and intended for illustrative reference only.