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…
On a recent meeting of the Punjab Assembly’s standing committee on human rights and minorities affairs, the Christian Marriage Bill 2026 received unanimous approval. Introduced by Phelbos Christopher, the proposed legislation aims to modernize the legal framework governing Christian marriages in the province. The bill seeks to replace the Christian Marriage Act 1872 with a contemporary set of regulations.
Key provisions include raising the minimum marriage age to 18 years for both parties, mandating the faith of both individuals in a Christian marriage, and requiring registration with local and national authorities. The legislation also specifies that marriages must be conducted in registered churches by authorized priests or government-designated registrars, with at least two witnesses present.
Mandatory registration with the union council and NADRA, as well as the maintenance of official records, are also part of the proposed changes. The bill’s primary goal is to strengthen protections for free consent and provide clearer legal frameworks for Christian matrimonial matters.
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