ISLAMABAD: The Human Rights Cell of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has welcomed the passage of the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2026 as “a long overdue step towards strengthening the protective legal framework for vulnerable girls”.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the President of the PPP HR Cell, ex-senator Farhatullah Babar, said that for years, minority communities, especially Hindus and Christians, had raised concerns over the abduction of underage girls, their forced conversion, and subsequent marriages.
He said these practices continued due to the absence of a uniform minimum age for marriage in all provinces even though Sindh had passed this legislation several years ago but its purpose was defeated as girls were brought to Punjab and married off. “It is a win-win for all,” he said while welcoming the passage of the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026.
“For the minorities it is a triumph of their long struggle; for the girls and women of Pakistan it is a step towards affirming their dignity; it is also an endorsement of the decade-old Sindh Assembly legislation on minimum age for marriage,” he remarked.
Babar said that underage marriage was not a “societal value” as was claimed by some quarters. “Harmful practices if existed in society cannot be made an excuse to perpetuate a grave injustice. It is unjust and cruel to make young girls bear the burden of such injustices,” he added.
“There have been shameful instances where minor girls were used to settle disputes,” he said, adding: “Childhood cannot be bartered away under the guise of custom.”
The PPP leader further said the provision in the bill which places “the best interests of the child” at the heart of all legal proceedings, from investigation to sentencing and protective custody, was particularly welcomed as well as the provision that no child shall be treated as an offender merely for being party to a child marriage. “These are highly significant provisions in the interest of vulnerable,” he added.
“Courts have, in the past, relied on claims of ‘willing consent’, he said, adding: “This loophole is also closed as a child’s purported ‘consent’ shall not override evidence of coercion and enticement.”
Babar said credit must be given where it was due. “What is needed now is to implement this legislation, as Pakistan does not suffer from a lack of laws but suffers from a lack of enforcement.”
He also called for proper documentation, such as national identity cards and birth certificates, to verify age as a vital safeguard against manipulation and abuse.
