Muhammad Ashraf Rasool, chairperson of the Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Local Government and Community Development, has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026. The bill, which sets the minimum legal marriage age at 18 for both boys and girls in Punjab, was approved in a committee meeting held on Monday despite significant opposition.
The meeting, chaired by Rasool himself, included the Minister for Local Government and other relevant officials. Notably, Rasool and committee member Zulfiqar Shah voiced strong objections, arguing that the bill contradicts constitutional provisions. Rasool submitted a detailed three-page dissenting note to the assembly secretariat, urging the bill’s withdrawal on the grounds that it violates fundamental rights protected under Article 8 and religious freedoms guaranteed by Article 20 of the Constitution.
In his note, Rasool emphasized that the bill conflicts with several constitutional clauses and claimed that the majority of the committee members support withdrawing the legislation. Despite these objections, the committee formally passed the bill, with the dissenting note to be presented alongside it in the assembly. The ultimate decision to accept or reject the bill now lies with the government.
The proposed legislation aims to criminalize child marriage as a cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable offence, allowing for immediate legal action. It includes stringent penalties, such as imprisonment for up to seven years and fines reaching Rs1 million for parents, guardians, Nikah registrars, or anyone involved in facilitating underage marriages. Additionally, the bill mandates that all related cases be resolved within 90 days.
The committee hailed the bill as a crucial advancement for child protection and gender equality. It also instructed the Secretary of Local Government to finalize the rules governing the law and submit them within 60 days for approval, marking a significant step in the legislative process.
