The Punjab government has made a major decision, announcing that investigations into honour killing cases will now be conducted by the Crime Control Department (CCD).
The Punjab government has decided to further expand the scope of the Crime Control Department (CCD), under which all incidents of honour killings across the province will now fall under the department’s jurisdiction.
According to sources, under the government’s new policy, every honour killing case in Punjab will formally be handed over to the CCD to ensure transparent and effective investigations into these high profile crimes.
It is worth mentioning that previously, the CCD’s responsibilities were limited to organised crime, habitual offenders and major narcotics cases. However, honour killings are considered a serious social crime and have now also been included within their scope.
Punjab raises minimum marriage age to 18
An important 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
