Child marriage has been declared a non-bailable offense in Punjab after Governor Saleem Haider Khan promulgated the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026.
The ordinance takes immediate effect across the province and replaces the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929. Issued under Article 128(1) of the Constitution while the Punjab Assembly is not in session, the law sets 18 years as the minimum legal age of marriage for both males and females.
Under the ordinance, nikah registrars cannot register marriages involving anyone under 18. Violations carry up to one year in prison and a fine of Rs. 100,000. Any adult who contracts a marriage with a child faces rigorous imprisonment of two to three years and a fine of up to Rs. 500,000.
The law also classifies cohabitation resulting from a child marriage as child abuse. That offense carries five to seven years in prison and a minimum fine of Rs. 1,000,000.
Guardians or any other individuals who promote, permit, or fail to prevent a child marriage can face two to three years in prison and fines of up to Rs. 500,000.
All offenses under the ordinance are cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable. Courts of Session will try the cases and must conclude proceedings within 90 days.