Lahore High Court Rules Marriage Below 18 Illegal Under Punjab Law

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ruled that a marriage involving a girl below the age of 18 is illegal under the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act 2026.

The ruling was issued while the court heard a petition filed by Muhammad Aslam, who requested legal action against the alleged husband of his minor daughter, Hina Aslam.

During the proceedings, the court ordered that Hina be placed under the care of the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau. It also overturned an earlier order by a Justice of the Peace that had declined the request to register a case.

The court further directed the police to conduct a fresh investigation into evidence related to the alleged underage marriage.

According to the petitioner, a case concerning the alleged abduction of his daughter had already been registered. He told the court that additional evidence had subsequently emerged indicating that she may have been married while underage.

The petitioner requested further legal proceedings against those allegedly involved in the matter.

The Lahore High Court emphasized that child marriage laws are intended to protect children’s rights, safety, and overall welfare.

The ruling reinforces the legal requirement regarding the minimum marriage age in Punjab and places responsibility on relevant authorities to investigate reported violations in accordance with the law.