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LAHORE, Dec 16 (APP): Punjab Assembly (PA) hosted a parliamentary consultation to end child marriage in the province, bringing together lawmakers, child protection authorities, legal experts, and partners to review evidence, address legislative gaps, and advance reforms to protect children’s rights, here on Tuesday.
The consultation was organized by the Parliamentary Development Unit in collaboration with UNFPA, reflecting the provincial government’s commitment to strengthening legal and institutional frameworks for child protection.
The session opened with context-setting and evidence-sharing by Sarah Ahmad, Chairperson of the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau, Chairperson of the Special Committee on Gender Mainstreaming, and Convener of the Child Rights Caucus Punjab. She described child marriage as a constitutional, public health, and gender equality issue, highlighting data showing that thousands of girls are still married before the age of 18. She outlined the key features of the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2024, which was currently under consideration by the Punjab Cabinet. The proposed legislation seeks to set 18 years as the minimum legal age for girls and boys, introduce stronger safeguards, and ensure strict accountability.
Concluding the consultation, Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan urged decisive action to end child marriage, stressing that the practice causes lifelong harm, undermines education and health, and persists due to social normalization. He called on lawmakers to act with courage, compassion, and constitutional responsibility, emphasizing that protecting children is a moral duty that shapes society’s future.
The consultation also included a screening of the film Salma: The Silent Scream and an Islamic jurisprudence session by Mr. Muaz Ali Shah, which provided legal clarity on age, consent, and religious interpretations. Members of the Punjab Assembly participated in an open discussion focusing on legislative reforms, institutional coordination, and consensus-building.
The session concluded with agreement on next steps to align provincial reforms with the national framework and advance collective action to end child marriage in Punjab.