Christian Marriage Bill 2026: Minimum age proposed for both is 18 years.
LAHORE – The Punjab Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights and Minority Affairs has unanimously approved the Christian Marriage Bill 2026, paving the way for the proposed legislation to be passed in the Provincial Assembly.
According to Express News, the meeting of the committee was chaired by Rahila Khadim Hussain, the members unanimously approved the bill.
Member of the Punjab Assembly Phelps Christopher, who drafted the proposed legislation, appeared before the committee and apprised the members of its provisions.
The bill proposes to repeal the Christian Marriage Act 1872 and introduce a new legal framework for Christian marriages in Punjab.
The minimum age for marriage is recommended at 18 years.
Under the proposed law, the minimum age of marriage for members of the Christian community will be fixed at 18 years for both men and women.
Under current law, the minimum age is 16 for boys and 13 for girls.
Christopher said the proposed law would require both parties entering into a Christian marriage to be followers of Christianity.
The Bill proposes to introduce a formal procedure for written notice and public announcement before marriage.
Proposition of compulsory registration
Under the proposed law, registration of Christian marriages with the Union Council and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) will be mandatory.
Christopher said the current legal framework does not facilitate the registration of Christian marriages with both institutions.
The bill also proposes to allow marriages according to Christian religious practices in all registered churches.
Under the proposed framework, religiously trained priests serving in churches registered with the Punjab government will be authorized to perform marriages.
Designated priests and government-appointed marriage registrars will also be empowered to perform Christian marriages.
There is no time or day restriction.
The proposed law would not impose restrictions on the day or time when a Christian wedding ceremony can be held.
According to the bill, a Christian marriage must be performed in the presence of at least two witnesses.
It also proposes to maintain official records of Christian marriages through designated marriage registers and prescribed forms.
Aim to modernize the legal framework
Christopher said the Christian Marriage Bill 2026 seeks to strengthen and modernize the existing legal framework governing Christian marriages.
He said the proposed legislation would strengthen free consent protections and provide greater legal clarity regarding Christian marriages.
The bill will now move through the legislative process, with its proponents seeking approval from the Punjab Assembly after approval by the Standing Committee.
The post Christian Marriage Bill 2026: Minimum age of 18 years proposed for both appeared first on Daily Pakistan Punjabi News.
Stay updated with the latest alerts on this story:
View Original Coverage