LHC declares marriage of girls under 18 illegal

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has ordered police to investigate fresh evidence regarding the alleged marriage of a girl who was around 15 years old at the time of her nikah, declaring marriage involving anyone under 18 illegal under the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act 2026.

The court also set aside an earlier decision by a Justice of Peace rejecting a request for registration of a case over the alleged child marriage and directed police to proceed in accordance with the law.

The ruling came during proceedings concerning Hina Aslam, whose age was revealed in court to have been approximately 15 at the time of her nikah.

The court ordered authorities to investigate the new evidence to determine whether a punishable offence had been committed and said a fresh first information report could be registered despite an earlier kidnapping case filed by the girl’s father.

The court also directed that Hina be handed over to the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau and instructed the relevant authorities to take immediate steps to ensure her safety, welfare and best interests.

The court observed that while a child’s wishes were important, they could not automatically be treated as decisive because of the child’s young age.

It said the purpose of legislation against child marriage was to safeguard children’s rights and ensure their protection.

The court directed the police and relevant institutions to take all necessary measures to provide Hina with immediate protection and ensure that her welfare remained the primary consideration.

The ruling comes after the Punjab government enacted the Child Marriage Restraint Act 2026, under which marriage involving a person below the age of 18 is prohibited in the province.