Punjab Assembly passes bill setting minimum marriage age at 18 for both males and females - Pakistan

The Punjab Assembly passed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026, setting 18 years as the minimum legal age for marriage and declaring underage marriages a non-bailable offense. The bill was initially met with controversy as lawmakers were not provided copies of the bill before voting. Following debate, the bill was approved with an amendment emphasizing the best interests of the child in all actions under the law. The amendment also clarified that no child should be treated as an offender for being a contracting party to a child marriage and protected from coercion or manipulation.