Business Recorder
EDITORIAL: Pakistan’s gradual movement toward a uniform minimum marriage age of 18 years for both boys and girls marks a long-overdue alignment of the law with constitutional rights and public health imperatives. Sindh’s early leadership in 2013 with Child Marriages Restraint Act, 2013, followed by legislation for the Islamabad Capital Territory in 2025, set an important precedent. Now, Punjab’s proposed Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2026—endorsed by the provincial assembly’s Standing Committee on Local Government & Community Development—signals that the country’s most populous province is prepared to confront a practice that has, for decades, undermined the wellbeing of children, especially girls. At its core, the bill recognises that child marriage is not merely a cultural or economic issue; it is an injustice that perpetuates poverty, illiteracy, and poor health outcomes across generations. By raising the minimum age for girls from 16 to 18 and treating violations as cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable offences, the proposed law strengthens enforcement mechanisms that have historically been weak and inconsistently applied. The inclusion of penalties for all facilitators—parents, nikah registrars, and others—reflects a welcome understanding that child marriage is sustained by networks of complicity, not isolated decisions. Equally significant is the provision that declares cohabitation following a child marriage as child abuse, with strict penalties and expedited trials within 90 days. This marks a major shift from symbolic legislation to actionable protection. It acknowledges that the harm of child marriage does not end with the ceremony but persists in the lived reality of young girls forced into adult roles, often at the cost of their education, health, and autonomy. However, the debate within the Standing Committee reveals a persistent tension between reform and resistance. Calls for “exceptions” based on socio-economic hardship while superficially empathetic risk undermining the very purpose of the law. Poverty does not justify child marriage; rather, child marriage entrenches poverty. Allowing exceptions would create loopholes for exploitation, weakening enforcement and enabling harmful practices to continue under the guise of necessity. Strong laws must be matched by strong political will; otherwise, reform effort can become merely performative rather than substantive. That said, legislation alone cannot eradicate child marriage. Without parallel investments in education, social protection, and community awareness, enforcement may remain uneven, particularly in rural and marginalised areas. Families often resort to early marriages due to economic insecurity, lack of schooling opportunities, or social pressures. Addressing these root causes is essential to ensuring that the law is not only punitive but also transformative. By adopting a clear and uncompromising stance, Punjab can—and must—help establish a national standard that protects children’s rights and promotes long-term social development. The direction is right; what remains is the resolve to see it through without dilution or exception. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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