Punjab Assembly backs new minimum age of 18 for Christian marriages
“The Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Human Rights and Minority Affairs has unanimously approved the Christian Marriage Bill 2026, proposing a new legal framework for Christian marriages in the …”
The committee meeting, chaired by Raheela Khadim Hussain, was attended by lawmakers, assembly officials and representatives of relevant departments. Bill mover Falbous Christopher presented the proposed legislation before the committee. One of the key provisions of the proposed bill is to set the minimum marriage age at 18 for both men and women.
Christopher said the existing legal framework provides for a minimum age of 16 for Christian men and 13 for women, while the proposed legislation seeks to establish 18 as the minimum age for both parties. The bill also proposes replacing the Christian Marriage Act 1872 with a more comprehensive framework governing Christian marriages in Punjab.
Under the proposed legislation, both parties to a marriage would be required to be Christian. It also provides for a formal procedure involving written notice and publication before the marriage. Another significant provision concerns the mandatory registration of Christian marriages with Union Councils and NADRA.
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Christopher said the existing framework does not provide an effective mechanism for such registration. The proposed law would also allow marriages to be solemnised in all registered churches, with government-registered and religiously trained pastors, designated clergy or government-appointed marriage registrars authorised to conduct the ceremonies.
The bill proposes that Christian marriages could be solemnised without restrictions on the day or time, provided that at least two witnesses are present.
It also calls for official records to be maintained through marriage registers and prescribed forms., the proposed legislation seeks to modernise and consolidate the existing legal framework, strengthen protection for free consent and provide greater legal clarity regarding Christian marriages. Following the committee’s unanimous approval, the bill will be presented before the Punjab Assembly for consideration and passage.
The proposal has previously been reported as part of wider efforts to reform and regulate Christian family law in Punjab.
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