Banning marriages under the age of 18 the Punjab Assembly has approved a bill with a majority vote.
During the session after discussion by most members of the house the bill was passed when the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs introduced “The Punjab Marriage Restraint Bill 2026.” To merry in Punjab for girls minimum legal age the legislation sets 18 years.
While debating the bill, government member Zulfiqar Ali Shah opposed the move, suggesting that marriages below 18 should be allowed with court approval. He argued that cultural and religious considerations should be taken into account and questioned whether restricting early marriages could lead to social issues.
In response, Information Minister Uzma Bukhari defended the bill, highlighting that many young girls are often unaware of their marriages. She noted that similar legislation has been encouraged by the Islamic Shariat Court in other provinces and stressed the importance of both physical and mental maturity.
She further stated that just as identity documentation is required for various matters, legal age requirements for marriage should also be respected. Even if someone reaches maturity earlier, they should wait until the legally defined age, she added.
Uzma Bukhari also pointed out that young girls are frequently the victims in cases of violence and harmful traditions, emphasising the need to end such practices. She mentioned that during former Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s tenure, the minimum marriage age was 16, which has now been raised to 18.
Additionally, she said that if a bride or groom does not possess a national identity card, a birth certificate should be mandatory at the time of marriage.
The minister also raised concerns over the legislative process, noting that copies of the bill and its amendments were not distributed to members beforehand. Following this, the Speaker directed that all relevant documents be immediately provided to assembly members.
Also read: Punjab raises minimum marriage age to 18
