Christian rights advocates are hailing a new law in one Pakistani province that sets the minimum age for marriage at 18, deems child marriage as “child abuse” and mandates punishment.
Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026 went into effect immediately when Punjab province’s governor, Saleem Haider Khan, signed it Feb. 11, reported Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.
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The previous law, Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929, allowed marriage at 18 for males and 16 for females.
Now, the minimum for both is 18.
“Over the years, many underage girls in Pakistan, particularly in Punjab and Sindh provinces, have reportedly been illegally married following abduction and forced conversion,” said Tehmina Arora, director of advocacy for Asia at Alliance Defending Freedom International. “We hope that this ordinance will help deter such incidents.”
For years, Christian Daily-Morning Star has reported about Christian girls frequently being kidnapped, forced to convert to Islam and forced to marry a Muslim man.
What the new law says
Among its stipulations, the new law:
— Establishes punishment — up to seven years in prison and a fine up to $3,500 — for contracting, promoting or facilitating child marriage. The offenses are nonbailable.
— Imposes punishment on marriage registrars who register such a marriage.
— Mandates prison and a fine upon an adult who marries a child.
— Classifies living with a child in marriage as “child abuse,” punishable by prison and a fine.
— Criminalizes child trafficking that is linked to marriage.
World Watch
Pakistan is No. 8 on Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List of the 50 places most difficult to be a Christian.
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