LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly passed the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026 with a majority vote, barring marriage below the age of 18.
The bill was moved in the House by Punjab Minster for Parliamentary Affairs Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman. Before the passage of the bill, both treasury and opposition members held a detailed and heated discussion on its provisions. Provincial Minister Azma Bokhari and MPA of PMLN Uzma Kardar strongly defended the legislation while ruling party MPA Syed Zulfiqar Shah, Opposition legislator Qazi Akbar opposed the legislation.
During the debate on the legislation, opposition member Qazi Akbar raised objections to the bill on child marriages, triggering a strong reaction from women members of the government benches. Uzma Kardar stated that early marriages of young girls are a major cause of deaths. Azma Bokhari criticised those opposing restrictions on early marriages, suggesting they should marry off their own daughters at ages 6, 7, 9, and 11. Those who support child marriage should marry their daughters at the ages of 9 and 12, said Azma Bokhari. Girls should be allowed to complete their education at the ages of 20 and 25, but some people attribute these practices to tribal customs and traditions, said Azma Bokhari. If under the law, a national identity card is considered a contract, then laws related to life, health, and safety should also be treated as contractual matters, said Azma Bokhari. “Young girls are married off like cattle at an early age, and many of them die during childbirth,” said Azma Bokhari.
“Islam stresses education and upbringing of women; those opposing this law should marry off their daughters at ages 6, 7, 9, and 11 to understand the consequences,” added Azma Bokhari.
Samiullah Khan, the PMLN MPA from Lahore, stated that Europe, which had moved away from the family system, is now returning to it. Marriage should not be viewed merely as a sexual act but as an institution that forms the foundation of family in Muslim culture, he added. Treasury member Zulfiqar Ali Shah demanded that marriages before the age of 18 should require court permission. Azma Bukhahri strongly protested.
“If Allah has allowed four marriages, then one may do so,” said Zulfiqar Shah. “If a boy or girl wants to marry before the age of 18, should they first commit ‘zina’ (fornication) or engage in immoral acts, asked the PMLN PMPA. “Anyone marrying before 18 should seek permission from the court,” he suggested. “Do not place this bill above societal values,” Zulfiqar Shah warned. What kind of society is this where a child is abused and then killed? Zulfiqar raised a point.
Young girls often do not even realise that they are being married off, said Azma Bukhahri. The Federal Shariat Court encouraged the bill passed by the Sindh Assembly, said Azma. Some sects claim marriage is valid at thirteen or speak of a fourteen-year-old girl reaching maturity, she noted. Mental and physical maturity should be equal. For any task, an ID card is required but for marriage, permission is sought, wondered Azma Bukhahri. If a young person matures early, they should wait for marriage rather than commit any sin, added Azma. If someone commits murder, then a girl is given in marriage as compensation to cover and cleanse the crime, regretted the information minister. Then you should allow four wives even at the age of 10, mocked Azma Bukhahri. Any practices that justify sacrifices through laws or customs should be stopped, she demanded. Why should every punishment for a man be served by a girl? she asked. Azma also stated that all members should have been provided the copies of the bill. Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan later adjourned the session till next day.
