PESHAWAR: MPA of Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian Shazia Tehmas Khan has submitted a private member bill in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s secretariat, seeking to replace the colonial-era Christian marriage law in the province.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Christian Marriage Bill, 2026, is aimed at repealing the 154-year-old Christian Marriage Act, 1872, in the province with a modern legal framework that reflects Pakistan’s constitutional guarantees, contemporary administrative standards, and evolving needs of Christian community in KP.

The proposed legislation establishes a comprehensive legal framework for solemnisation, registration, regulation and legal recognition of Christian marriages in the province.

It introduces stronger safeguards against child marriage, forced marriage, coercion, fraud, misrepresentation and unlawful solemnisation while ensuring that Christian marriages continue to be conducted in accordance with religious practices of different churches and denominations.

Draft legislation submitted to assembly secretariat by PPP lawmaker

The bill also introduces modern procedures for marriage registration, secure maintenance of physical and electronic marriage records, improved coordination with civil registration authorities, including Nadra, and enhanced legal certainty for Christian families.

It protects the legitimacy and rights of children, strengthens accountability through transparent regulation of marriage registrars and ordained ministers, and introduces safeguards against fraudulent practices.

The proposed legislation is the result of an extensive consultative process involving Christian elders, representatives of various churches, clergy, legal experts, civil society organisations and human rights stakeholders.

The legislative draft is firmly grounded in biblical values and Christian traditions, while remaining fully consistent with the Constitution of Pakistan and contemporary legal standards.

The bill also proposes that whoever solemnises, conducts, directs, facilitates, promotes or knowingly permits a marriage involving a minor, shall be punishable in strict accordance with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Marriage Restraint Act, for the time being in force, and criminal penalties, fines and trial procedures specified in that provincial framework shall apply directly to offenses committed.

The bill has been jointly drafted by MPA Shazia Tehmas Khan, Blue Veins and National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR) with technical support by program manager at Blue Veins, Qamar Nasim.

“This bill is a historic step towards ensuring equal rights, dignity and legal protection for the Christian community of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” said Ms Shazia Tehmas on the submission of the bill.

She said that the bill was developed through extensive consultations with churches, clergy, community leaders and legal experts. She said that once enacted, it would replace an outdated colonial-era law with a modern legal framework that would protect Christian families and respect their faith.

“NCHR remains committed to promoting the rights of religious minorities through dialogue and inclusive lawmaking. We are pleased that the commission’s sub-committee on minority rights contributed to the consultative process that helped shape this important legislative reform for the Christian community,” said Rizwanullah Shah, the provincial coordinator of NCHR.

Qamar Naseem said that the proposed law would modernise Christian marriage law while preserving Christian traditions, strengthening legal protections and responding to practical needs of Christian families in KP.

Once enacted by the provincial assembly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Christian Marriage Act, 2026, would repeal the application of Christian Marriage Act, 1872, in the province and establish a modern, transparent, and rights-based legal framework for Christian marriages that better serves present and future generations.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2026