PA committee approves Christian Marriage Bill 2026

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly’s standing committee on human rights and minorities affairs has unanimously approved the Christian Marriage Bill 2026, proposing major changes to the legal framework governing marriages among the Christian community in the province. The committee meeting, chaired by Raheela Khadim Hussain, approved the bill after its mover, Phelbos Christopher, presented its provisions before the committee. The proposed legislation seeks to repeal the Christian Marriage Act 1872 and introduce a modernised legal framework for Christian marriages. Under the proposed bill, the minimum age for marriage for both Christian men and women would be fixed at 18 years. Phelbos Christopher said under the existing law, the minimum age is 16 years for boys and 13 years for girls. The bill further proposes that both parties to a Christian marriage must belong to the Christian faith. It also lays down a procedure for written notice and public declaration prior to solemnisation of the marriage. The proposed legislation would make registration of Christian marriages with the union council and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) mandatory. According to the bill’s mover, the existing legal framework does not provide for registration of Christian marriages with the union council and the NADRA. The bill also proposes that marriages be solemnised in all registered churches according to Christian religious rites. Priests with religious education serving in churches registered with the Punjab government would be authorised to solemnise marriages. The proposed law would also empower designated priests or government-appointed marriage registrars to solemnise Christian marriages. There would be no restriction on the day or time for holding a marriage ceremony under the proposed legislation. A Christian marriage would have to be solemnised in the presence of at least two witnesses. The bill also proposes maintaining an official record of Christian marriages through marriage registers and prescribed forms. Phelbos Christopher said the Christian Marriage Bill 2026 was aimed at consolidating and modernising the existing legal framework governing Christian marriages, while strengthening protection for the free consent of the parties. The proposed legislation would also help ensure greater legal clarity in matters relating to Christian matrimonial law, he pointed out. Following approval by the standing committee, the bill will be presented before the Punjab Assembly for consideration and passage. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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