{"id":98115,"date":"2026-04-25T19:53:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T19:53:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/2026\/04\/25\/christians-urge-pakistan-mps-to-support-child-marriage-ban-in-punjab\/"},"modified":"2026-04-25T19:54:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T19:54:40","slug":"christians-urge-pakistan-mps-to-support-child-marriage-ban-in-punjab","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christiancorner.us\/index.php\/2026\/04\/25\/christians-urge-pakistan-mps-to-support-child-marriage-ban-in-punjab\/","title":{"rendered":"Christians urge Pakistan MPs to support child marriage ban in Punjab"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"PakistanStephen J. By Bose, Chief International Correspondent of Worthy News<\/p>\n

Islamabad (meaningful news<\/a>) – Christian advocates have urged legislators in Pakistan’s Punjab province to approve child marriage laws in a country where millions of girls are married off as children.<\/p>\n

According to the United Nations children’s agency UNICEF, “Pakistan is home to approximately 19 million child brides; 1 in 6 young women was married in childhood.”<\/p>\n

Advocates say Christian girls are particularly vulnerable, with reports of abduction, forced conversion to Islam and marriage to Muslim men against their will.<\/p>\n

On 11 February, the Governor of Punjab signed the Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026.<\/p>\n

The law aims to raise the minimum legal age for marriage to 18 and impose fines on violators, a move hailed by supporters as a “moral and social victory”.<\/p>\n

The law is awaiting final approval<\/strong><\/p>\n

However, the ordinance will expire in May \u2013 90 days after it comes into force \u2013 unless the Punjab Assembly approves it.<\/p>\n

Advocacy group Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC) said, “Although it is currently in effect, this measure is temporary.”<\/p>\n

The group said the law has already been passed by a standing committee but still requires a final vote by the Punjab Assembly.<\/p>\n

Without approval, activists have warned that protections for vulnerable girls could soon disappear.<\/p>\n

conflict and risk<\/strong><\/p>\n

Opponents argue that the ordinance conflicts with individual freedoms and interpretations of Islamic law that allows marriage after puberty.<\/p>\n

Christian advocacy groups say minority girls are often targeted because of their vulnerable social status in the predominantly Muslim nation.<\/p>\n

Rights organizations have documented cases of abduction, forced religious conversion, and forced marriage of underage girls.<\/p>\n

Observers have warned that failure to pass the law could leave thousands of people at risk of exploitation and abuse.<\/p>\n

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