Lahore High Court declares underage marital life child abuse

The Lahore High Court has ruled that living a married life with a minor girl, even with her consent, constitutes child abuse.

Justice Manwar Iqbal Dogar issued an 11-page order declaring the marriage of a girl under the age of 18 illegal.

The court also ordered an investigation into allegations of child marriage and a fake Nikahnama. It set aside the decision of the Justice of Peace, Kasur, and directed the Station House Officer (SHO) of B Division Police Station, Kasur, to register a case in accordance with the law.

The court observed that a marriage involving a person under the age of 18 falls within the category of child marriage. It noted that sexual relations with a minor resulting from a child marriage can carry a prison sentence of five to seven years.

The court further stated that the offence of child abuse could also attract a fine of at least Rs1 million.

Justice Manwar Iqbal Dogar observed that the consent of a minor girl does not give her a legal right to live with an adult man.

According to the court order, the girl in the present case was approximately 15 years and two months old at the time of the alleged marriage. NADRA records showed her date of birth as March 1, 2011.

The court ordered that the girl should not be allowed to leave with the alleged husband.

It directed that the minor be placed in the protective custody of the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau. Any meeting between the girl and her parents or alleged husband must take place under supervision, the court ordered.

According to the case details, the girl allegedly contracted a marriage of her choice on May 18, 2026. Her father subsequently registered a kidnapping case against the boy.

The girl later appeared before a magistrate and stated that she had married of her own free will.

The court order said the Municipal Committee informed the authorities that it had no record of the alleged Nikah.

The girl’s father then submitted an application seeking registration of a case on the basis of the alleged underage marriage. However, the police did not register the case, prompting him to approach the Justice of Peace.

The Justice of Peace also rejected the application for registration of the case. The petitioner subsequently challenged the decision before the Lahore High Court.