The Punjab Assembly has introduced a new bill to amend the 153-year-old Christian Marriage Act of 1872. The proposal has triggered debate among religious leaders and legal experts.
Officials say the aim is to modernize outdated marriage laws. However, critics argue that the changes are incomplete and lack broader reform.
The amendment bill was presented by Minority Affairs Committee Chairman Falbous Christopher. It suggests raising the minimum age for Christian Marriage to 18 years for both men and women.
Under the current law, boys can marry at 16 years and girls at 13 years. The proposed change brings the law closer to modern child protection standards.
Another major change in the bill relates to religious requirements. It states that both individuals must be Christian for a valid Christian Marriage.
Previously, the law allowed marriage if only one partner was Christian. This shift has raised concerns among some community representatives.
Despite these updates, religious leaders and experts say the bill does not go far enough. They believe key areas remain unaddressed.
These include divorce, annulment, inheritance, child custody, and separation laws related to Christian Marriage.
Peter Jacob, Executive Director of the Centre for Social Justice, said reforms are long overdue. He stressed that churches and Christian communities must be consulted during the process.
Religious leaders have also expressed concerns about reduced involvement of the Church in marriages. Reverend Dr Majid Abel said only authorized clergy should conduct Christian Marriage ceremonies.
Legal experts pointed out several gaps in the draft law. Samuel Payara said the bill lacks clarity on the religious nature of marriage.
He also noted weak safeguards, such as missing pre-marriage notice systems and objection procedures. He further warned about the absence of strict penalties for violations.
Experts also highlighted that no biometric verification system is included. This could create issues in identity verification and record management for Christian Marriage cases.
Rabeeca Niamat added that divorce laws remain complex and need urgent revision.
In a related development, the Lahore High Court recently ruled that two years of separation can be considered valid grounds for divorce in Christian cases.
In other related news also read Punjab Citizens Face New Roti Price Increase
Overall, critics say that while raising the marriage age is a positive step, broader reforms are still needed. They emphasize that Christian Marriage laws require comprehensive and consultative changes to address long-standing issues.
