LAHORE: Child marriage is now a non-bailable crime in Punjab, with offenders facing up to seven years in prison and Rs1 million fine under a sweeping new ordinance promulgated by Punjab Governor Saleem Haider Khan here on Wednesday.

Issued as the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026, the law comes into immediate effect across the province, replacing the nearly century-old Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929.

Promulgated under Article 128(1) of the Constitution while the Punjab Assembly is not in session, the ordinance sets 18 years as the minimum legal age of marriage for both males and females — eliminating previous gender-based distinctions.

Under the new legal framework, Nikah registrars are barred from registering marriages involving anyone under 18, with violations punishable by up to one year jail term and a Rs100,000 fine. Adults contracting marriage with a child face rigorous imprisonment of two to three years and fines up to Rs500,000.

New law sets 18-year minimum age limit for marriage for both males and females

The ordinance goes further by criminalising cohabitation resulting from a child marriage as “child abuse,” carrying penalties of five to seven years’ imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs1m.

It also introduces strict punishments for child trafficking linked to marriage and holds guardians accountable for promoting or failing to prevent underage marriages. The guardian or any other person in any capacity, lawful or unlawful, does any act to promote a child marriage, child abuse or permits child marriage to be solemnised, or intentionally or negligently fails to prevent it from being solemnised, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment between two to three years, and shall also be liable to fine up to Rs500,000.

All offences under the ordinance are declared cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable, and will be tried exclusively by Courts of Session, with cases to be concluded within 90 days.

According to the statement of objects and reasons, the ordinance aims to modernise child protection laws in Punjab, remove gender discrimination in minimum marriage age, and strengthen legal safeguards against exploitation and abuse.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2026