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FEMALE childhoods have been silenced by primitive traditions for decades in Pakistan. The enactment of the Punjab Child Marriages Restraint Ordinance 2026 is a long-awaited development that sets the minimum legal age of marriage for males and females at 18 years, and treats child marriage as a non-bailable offence. It stipulates a jail sentence of up to seven years with a hefty fine of Rs1m for any adult who contracts a child marriage. Marriage registrars are barred from registering underage marriages. In other words, the colonial CMRA of 1929 stands annulled with immediate effect. Additionally, the far-reaching legislation also prescribes stringent punishments for child trafficking in the name of marriage. This is a significant acknowledgement — without a countrywide minimum marriage age of 18, the curse will not recede.

Despite progressive edicts, the combination of patriarchy, misconstrued religious guidelines, and poverty has kept child marriage alive. Sindh is a disturbing example where juvenile marriages remain on the rise. According to Unicef’s Pakistan Gender Strategy 2024-2027, Pakistan ranks sixth in child marriage prevalence. Meanwhile, South Asia carries the highest burden of child marriage in the world. This is largely due to the failure of our policymakers to improve implementation, and address socioeconomic compulsions. Customs such as watta satta still reduce girl children to commodities without autonomy, exposing them to lifelong vulnerability. Adolescent childbirths increase maternal mortality rates, and minor females suffer recurring reproductive health complications, stillbirths, and mental health consequences. Sadly, merely 13pc of child brides complete secondary school, which strengthens the cycle of ignorance and dependence. To uproot gender discrimination and exploitation with modern safeguards for children, the perils of such practices, and guarantees for reforms with enforcement of statutes, must find space in political campaigns. Lastly, the KP administration must resist the orthodox elements that impede empowerment. Every underage bride propels us towards a future where girls become wives because lawmakers abandoned their cause.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2026