Punjab Assembly committee approves Christian Marriage Bill — Dawn

In Pakistan, the Human Rights and Minority Affairs Committee of the Punjab Assembly unanimously approved the Christian Marriage Bill 2026. The document provides for mandatory official registration of Christian marriages with local councils and the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra).

As Dawn reports, the bill must still be considered by the full provincial assembly. If passed, it will also set the minimum marriage age at 18 for both the bride and groom.

Replacing the 1872 law

The draft is intended to repeal and replace the Christian Marriage Act of 1872, which has been in force since the colonial period. During the meeting, the bill’s initiator, Falbus Christopher, said that the current 154-year-old law sets the minimum marriage age at 16 for men and 13 for women.

According to him, setting a single threshold of 18 is intended to strengthen protection against child marriages and ensure the free consent of both parties. The bill was submitted to the committee in April.

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Marriage rules

The document proposes allowing Christian marriages to be solemnized by ordained and religiously qualified pastors of churches registered by the Punjab government, as well as government-appointed marriage registrars. Both parties to the marriage must belong to the Christian faith.

Among the proposed procedural requirements are prior written notice, a public announcement of the marriage, and the presence of at least two witnesses at the ceremony. The bill also repeals historical restrictions on specified days or times for holding weddings and provides for detailed records to be kept in standardized registers and official forms.

Christopher said that the document’s purpose is to streamline and modernize personal law provisions for the Christian community, as well as to protect the rights and free consent of people getting married.