Lahore: An ordinance has been prepared in Punjab to impose a complete ban on child marriage. Important details regarding the proposed punishments have come to light.
According to the sources, the Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance will be presented in the upcoming session of the Punjab Assembly.
Under the proposed ordinance:
A Nikah registrar who registers an underage marriage could face 1 year imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 100,000.
A person above 18 years of age marrying an underage girl would face a minimum of 2 years imprisonment.
Any adult involved in arranging a child marriage may be fined up to Rs. 500,000.
The ordinance further states that:
Living with or having relations with an underage girl after marriage will be considered child abuse, punishable by 5 to 7 years imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs. 1 million.
Taking a minor outside Punjab for marriage will be treated as child trafficking.
Parents or guardians arranging a child marriage may face 2 to 3 years imprisonment.
All child marriage cases will be heard in Sessions Court, and the court will have the authority to issue immediate restraining orders to prevent such marriages.
All offences under this ordinance will be non-bailable and non-compoundable.
Authorities state that the purpose of the ordinance is to strictly curb child marriage and ensure the protection of minors across the provinc
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