Punjab panel approves bill to replace 1872 Christian marriage law, sets 18 as minimum age

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Human Rights has approved the Christian Marriage Bill 2026, proposing to repeal the 1872 law and introduce a new legal framework governing Christian marriages in the province.

The bill has proposed setting the minimum marriage age at 18 for bride and groom, replacing current provisions that allow boys to marry at 16 and girls at 13.

It also proposed that both parties to a marriage must be Christian, a change from the existing framework under which a Christian marriage can be solemnised even when only one party belongs to the faith.

Under the proposed legislation, couples would be required to submit a written notice before marriage, followed by a prescribed announcement of the intended marriage. Christian marriages would also have to be registered with the relevant Union Council and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

The bill proposed authorising ordained clergy of registered churches or designated marriage registrars to solemnise marriages in the presence of at least two witnesses. It would also remove restrictions on the day and time of Christian marriage ceremonies.

Marriage records would be maintained in official marriage registers under the proposed law.

The bill would replace the Christian Marriage Act 1872, which has governed Christian marriages for more than 150 years.

The earlier draft, introduced in the Punjab Assembly as a private member’s bill by Philbos Christopher, chairman of the Standing Committee on Minority Affairs, had proposed raising the minimum marriage age from 16 to 18 for boys and from 13 to 18 for girls.

It also proposed mandatory registration of Christian marriages with Union Councils and NADRA, which is not required under the existing framework.

The draft sought to allow all registered churches in Punjab, along with ordained clergy trained in religious seminaries, to solemnise Christian marriages and remove restrictions on the timing of wedding ceremonies.

Following the committee’s approval, the Christian Marriage Bill 2026 will be presented before the Punjab Assembly for further consideration.