he Punjab government is preparing to criminalize marriages involving anyone under the age of 18 through a new ordinance aimed at curbing child marriage across the province.
The proposed Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance will be presented in the next session of the Punjab Assembly, The News reported.
Under the draft ordinance, any person aged 18 or older who marries a minor will face a minimum of two years in prison and a fine of up to Rs. 500,000.
The law also targets those who facilitate such marriages. Parents or guardians who arrange or assist in the marriage of a child could face between two and three years in prison.
In a significant provision, the ordinance states that cohabitation or a conjugal relationship with a minor after such a marriage will be treated as child abuse. This offense would carry a penalty of five to seven years in prison and a minimum fine of Rs. 1 million.
All cases registered under the ordinance will be tried in sessions courts. The courts will be required to complete the trial and issue a verdict within 90 days.
Similar legislation is already in effect at the federal level and in Sindh.
In May last year, Parliament passed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill, which set the minimum legal age for marriage at 18. Under that law, a man over 18 who marries an underage girl can face up to three years of rigorous imprisonment.
Nikah registrars will be prohibited from solemnizing a marriage if either the bride or groom is under 18. Any registrar who violates the law may face up to one year in prison and a fine of Rs. 100,000.
The law also states that if a court becomes aware that an underage marriage is being arranged or has already taken place, it may issue an order to stop it.
Anyone who informs the court about such a case may request confidentiality, and the court will be required to ensure their protection.
