By Asim Shahzad
LAHORE — The Punjab Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights and Minority Affairs has unanimously approved the Christian Marriage Bill 2026.
The committee meeting was held under the chairmanship of Rahila Khadim Hussain. Philbos Christopher, the initiator of the bill, presented the proposed legislation before the committee.
The bill seeks to repeal the Christian Marriage Act 1872 and set the minimum marriage age for members of the Christian community at 18 years for both men and women.
Christopher said the existing law sets the minimum marriage age at 16 for boys and 13 for girls. Under the proposed legislation, both parties to a marriage would be required to belong to the Christian faith.
The bill sets out procedures for issuing written notices before marriage and making a formal declaration of marriage. It also proposes mandatory registration of Christian marriages with the relevant Union Council and the National Database and Registration Authority, or NADRA.
Under the proposed legislation, Christian marriages would be permitted according to Christian religious procedures at all registered churches.
The bill also proposes that the Punjab government authorize religiously trained priests from registered churches to solemnize Christian marriages.
It further seeks to remove restrictions on the time and day of Christian marriage ceremonies and requires at least two witnesses to be present during the ceremony.
The proposed legislation would also require Christian marriages to be recorded through marriage registers and prescribed forms to ensure proper documentation.
Christopher said the Christian Marriage Bill 2026 aims to unify and modernize the existing legal framework governing Christian marriages and provide greater legal clarity.
Following approval by the standing committee, the bill will be presented before the Punjab Assembly for consideration and passage.