A record increase has been observed in the number of divorce cases being filed in family courts in Lahore.
On average, 10 to 15 cases of khula and divorce are being filed daily. Over the past month, family courts have granted khula decrees to around 100 women on merit.
Women who obtain khula decrees from family courts have now been made bound to approach the Union Council. Only after completing the process with the Union Council can a woman remarry. If a marriage takes place without obtaining a divorce certificate from the Union Council, the woman may face legal action under Hudood laws.
In a separate development, a step has been taken by the Standing Committee on Local Government of the Punjab Assembly (PA) against child marriage. They have approved the Punjab Marriage Ordinance 2026.
The Committee Chairman Pir Ashraf Rasool chaired the meeting.
During the meeting it was informed that Sardar Saleem Haider, the Governor of Punjab had already approved the ordinance.
After the ordinance is approved by the committee, it will be presented in the house. Once it is passed there it will formally become the law.
The text of the ordinance states that there will be a complete ban on the marriage of individuals under the age of 18 in Punjab.
It has been made compulsory that both the groom and the bride are at least 18 years old at the time marriage is conducted.
Child marriage will now be a punishable offence. Anyone who is involved will have action taken against them under criminal law.
According to the ordinance if a marriage registrar or officiant registers an underage marriage he will face a minimum of one year imprisonment and a fine of Rs100,000.
Other than that if a person is found marrying a boy or a girl less than 18 years old that individual will be fined Rs500,000 and will be imprisoned for at least three years.
The marriage involving a person under 18 will also be treated as rape. It will be punishable with a fine of Rs1,000,000 and seven years imprisonment.
The same punishment will also be given if a child is taken out of Punjab to another province and is underage and married to someone.
Any individual or guardian who assists in child marriage will also face imprisonment for two years and a fine of Rs500,000.
Legal action will also be faced by marriage registrars.
Also read: Punjab moves to fix minimum marriage age for Christians
