The Punjab government has drafted a new Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance aimed at eliminating underage marriages in the province, sources said on Saturday.

The proposed ordinance will be presented in the upcoming session of the Punjab Assembly for approval.

According to the draft law, the marriage of any boy or girl under the age of 18 will be declared a criminal offence, and strict action will be taken against those involved.

Under the proposed law, the minimum legal age for marriage has been set at 18 years for both males and females.

Any nikah registrar found registering the marriage of an underage boy or girl could face up to one year in prison and a fine of Rs100,000.

Similarly, any person over the age of 18 who contracts marriage with an underage girl could face a minimum of two years’ imprisonment.

An adult involved in facilitating an underage marriage may also be fined up to Rs500,000.

The ordinance further states that cohabitation with or establishing marital relations with a minor after marriage will be treated as child abuse.

The proposed punishment for this offence ranges from five to seven years in prison, along with a minimum fine of Rs1 million.

Additionally, taking a minor outside Punjab for the purpose of marriage will be considered child trafficking, punishable by five to seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs1 million.

Under the draft law, parents or guardians found involved in arranging an underage marriage could face two to three years in prison.

Under the proposed law, all child marriage cases will be heard in sessions courts, giving judges the power to step in immediately and stop a marriage before it takes place.

All offences under the proposed law will be non-bailable and non-compoundable. In practical terms, this means those accused will not be able to secure bail easily, nor can families quietly settle the matter among themselves to have the case withdrawn.

Courts will be required to decide such cases within 90 days.

Once enacted, the new ordinance will repeal the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929.

Government officials say the legislation aims to protect children’s rights and effectively curb the social issue of child marriage.