Pakistan proposes new Christian marriage and family laws

Proposed legislative reforms to Christian marriage and family laws in Pakistan’s Punjab and Sindh provinces are drawing calls for direct consultation with religious leaders. The reforms aim to modernize colonial-era statutes that have been in place for over 150 years.

In Punjab, the Christian Marriage Bill 2026 seeks to replace the 1872 Act. Key provisions include setting the minimum marriage age at 18 for both men and women, requiring both parties to be Christian, and mandating registration with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). The bill has cleared the Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Human Rights and Minority Affairs and awaits a full House vote.

In Sindh, the Christian Family Laws Bill 2026 covers a broader scope, including divorce, maintenance, child custody, and property rights. While Christian leaders in Karachi have expressed support for the bill’s intent to protect the dignity and legal rights of families, they have emphasized that the legislation must respect ecclesiastical autonomy. Leaders stressed that the laws should reflect biblical teachings and ensure that the traditions of one denomination are not imposed upon others.