Pakistani Court Rules Underage Marriage Can Constitute Child Abuse
Based on 2 sources Updated 2 weeks ago
The Lahore High Court has issued a significant ruling declaring that marital relationships involving girls under 18 may be classified as child abuse, regardless of the minor's consent. In an 11-page judgment delivered on August 31, Justice Munawar Iqbal Duggal emphasized that the recently enacted Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act 2026 fundamentally changes the legal landscape regarding child marriage in the province.
The ruling came during the case of a 15-year-old girl, Hina Aslam, whose father petitioned the court. Justice Duggal ordered the minor to be placed in the custody of the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau while police investigate allegations of a fraudulent marriage certificate. The court stated that such offenses could result in prison sentences of five to seven years and fines of at least 1 million Pakistani rupees. Christian leaders and legal advocates have welcomed the decision, viewing it as a vital step toward protecting vulnerable girls from forced marriages and religious conversions.