Overview
- The draft ordinance sets 18 as the minimum legal marriage age across Punjab and makes underage unions a criminal offense.
- Adults aged 18 or over who marry a minor face at least two years in prison, with fines up to Rs500,000 for facilitators.
- Parents or guardians who arrange such marriages may receive two to three years in jail, and Nikah registrars risk up to one year and a Rs100,000 fine for registering them.
- Cohabitation or marital relations with a minor after marriage is defined as child abuse, punishable by five to seven years in prison and a minimum Rs1 million fine.
- Taking a minor out of Punjab for marriage will be treated as child trafficking, and cases will be tried in sessions courts with a 90-day deadline for verdicts.