How much does bail cost in Pakistan?

The court fixes the bail amount based on the offence — it can range from tens of thousands to millions of rupees. The surety doesn't usually deposit cash; they pledge property or execute a bond. Lawyer fees are separate and vary. For a routine Sessions Court bail, families typically spend Rs. 25,000–1,00,000 on the lawyer plus the bond arrangement — the bond itself is pledged, not paid, unless forfeited.

Can bail be cancelled?

Yes. The court or prosecution can seek cancellation for misuse — missing hearings, threatening witnesses, committing another offence, or interfering with the investigation. Cancellation is a separate petition heard like a mini-trial of your conduct on bail, and courts do cancel — especially for repeated non-appearance. So the release order is a responsibility, not a victory lap.

What is the difference between bail and acquittal?

Bail is temporary release during trial; acquittal is the final verdict clearing you. Bail does not end the case — you must still face trial. I say this because clients genuinely confuse the two: walking out on bail feels like winning, but the prosecution's case is still alive and the trial dates still matter. Celebrate quietly, then prepare for trial.

Can a woman or minor get bail more easily?

Courts are generally more lenient with women, minors, and the elderly or infirm, especially in non-bailable offences where the case is arguable. This is settled practice, not favouritism — the courts reason that custody is harsher on these categories and the flight risk is lower. Medical grounds work the same way: a genuine hospital record moves judges.

I just found out there's an FIR against me. What's my first step?

Don't panic and don't go to the police station alone. Contact a criminal lawyer immediately about pre-arrest bail — every day of delay is a day the police can arrest you. You can get free initial legal advice on JavedLegalHub to understand your options. And whatever you do, do not try to "explain yourself" to the investigating officer without counsel — it never helps as much as people think.

How long does post-arrest bail take under Section 497?

In the Sessions Court, a straightforward 497 petition is usually decided in 1–3 weeks from filing. If the prosecution seeks time or the record is bulky, it can stretch to a month. High Court bails take longer — admission alone can take 1–2 weeks. The single biggest accelerator is a complete file: FIR copy, remand papers, and clean grounds on day one.

What happens if my pre-arrest bail is dismissed?

The interim protection ends, and the police can arrest you — though dismissal orders usually give a short grace period of a few days. Your lawyer should immediately file in the High Court and, in the meantime, advise you to stay reachable and avoid confrontation with police. This is also the moment to seriously consider surrendering before the court and seeking post-arrest bail — sometimes cleaner than being picked up.

Can the police arrest me despite pre-arrest bail?

Not lawfully in that case, while the interim or confirmed order stands. If it happens, your lawyer moves the court for contempt and immediate release — judges take this very seriously. But note the limit: the protection covers the FIR named in the petition. A fresh FIR with different allegations is a fresh problem needing a fresh petition.

Does the surety have to deposit cash with the court?

Usually no. The surety executes a bond pledging a sum — backed by property documents or known means — and the court verifies it. Cash deposit is rare and only ordered in special cases. What the court does check is that the surety is real, solvent, and traceable. A surety who cannot be found later is worse than no surety at all.

Is bail possible in murder or terrorism cases?

Yes, but the bar is far higher. For offences punishable with death or life imprisonment, bail is refused where there are reasonable grounds to believe the accused is guilty — the court looks for real weakness in the prosecution case, like a delayed FIR, absent eyewitnesses, or a shaky recovery. It happens regularly on the "further enquiry" ground, but these petitions need senior counsel and airtight drafting. Do not attempt them cheaply. Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified advocate for your specific case.

Child Marriage Law in Punjab 2026: Minimum Age 18, Punishments, and How It Is Enforced

Every year, thousands of girls in Pakistan are married before they turn 18. Some are 16. Some are even younger. For a long time, the law did little to stop it. In 2026, Punjab changed that. The province now has one of the toughest child marriage laws in the country's history.

This article explains the new law in plain language. Who does it protect? Who can be punished? How do you report a planned child marriage? What happens in court? If you live in Punjab, this is what you need to know.

This article covers Punjab only. Other provinces have their own laws, so check your province's current law if you live outside Punjab.

Why the Law Changed

Before 2026, Punjab used the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929 — a law from the British colonial era, almost 100 years old. It had two big problems.

First, it set different ages for boys and girls. Boys had to be 18, but girls could be married at 16. This meant a 16-year-old girl could be married off legally, even though she was still a child in school.

Second, the punishments were weak. The old law gave light penalties that did not scare anyone. In many cases, the punishment was just a small fine. Families and middlemen treated it as a cost of doing business, not a real threat.

Pakistan had also promised the world it would end child marriage. It signed international agreements, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. But the old law did not match those promises.

In 2026, the Punjab government decided to act. The provincial cabinet approved a new ordinance. On 11 February 2026, Governor Saleem Haider Khan signed the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026, using his powers under Article 128(1) of the Constitution. Then, on 27 April 2026, the Punjab Assembly passed it as a proper Bill. The new law replaced the 1929 Act completely.

The biggest change is simple and clear: 18 for everyone. A boy must be 18. A girl must be 18. No exceptions.

What Counts as a Child Under the New Law

Under the new law, a child is any person under the age of 18. This applies equally to boys and girls.

This matters because many people in Pakistan still think of a girl as "ready for marriage" when she reaches puberty. The law says no. Puberty is not the test. The test is age: 18 years.

So a child marriage is any marriage where one or both parties are under 18. It does not matter if the girl agrees. It does not matter if the boy agrees. It does not matter if both families agree. If either person is under 18, the marriage is a child marriage and the law applies.

An important rule: a child can never be treated as an offender. If a 16-year-old girl is married off, she is a victim, not a criminal. The law is written to protect her, not punish her.

The Key Penalties at a Glance

The new law has some of the heaviest punishments for child marriage ever seen in Pakistan. Here is a simple summary:

Contracting, facilitating, or promoting a child marriage: up to 7 years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 1,000,000 (10 lakh rupees).
An adult marrying a minor: 2 to 3 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 500,000 (5 lakh rupees).
A nikah khawan registering an underage marriage: up to 1 year in prison and a fine of Rs 100,000.
Cohabitation from a child marriage treated as child abuse: 5 to 7 years in prison and a minimum fine of Rs 1,000,000.

These offences are cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable. These are legal terms, and they are very important. Let us break them down:

Cognizable means the police can arrest without a warrant and start an investigation on their own. They do not need a court's permission first.
Non-bailable means bail is not granted as a matter of right. Getting bail is difficult. The accused may have to stay in jail while the case goes on.
Non-compoundable means the case cannot be settled by compromise. Even if both families agree to forgive and forget, the case continues. The state carries on with the prosecution.

Together, these three features make the law very strong. The old law could be avoided with a small payment or a family deal. The new law cannot.

Who Can Be Punished

The law is designed so that everyone involved in a child marriage can face punishment. It is not just the groom. Here is who is covered:

The parents or guardians

If a parent arranges or agrees to the marriage of their underage son or daughter, they can be punished. This includes parents who "facilitate" the marriage — for example, by signing the nikahnama, giving the child away, or helping with the arrangements.

The groom (if an adult)

If an adult man marries a girl under 18, he faces 2 to 3 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 500,000. Note that the law also applies if the adult is a woman marrying an underage boy — the rule protects both sexes.

The nikah khawan

The nikah khawan is the person who performs and registers the marriage. If he registers a marriage where either party is under 18, he can be jailed for up to 1 year and fined Rs 100,000. This is meant to force nikah khawans to check ages properly before performing any nikah.

Facilitators and promoters

Anyone who helps make the child marriage happen can be punished. This includes matchmakers, relatives who arrange the match, people who provide a venue, and anyone who promotes or encourages the marriage. The punishment here is the heaviest: up to 7 years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 1,000,000.

Anyone who cohabits with the child

If an adult lives with a child as husband and wife after a child marriage, the law treats this as child abuse. The punishment is 5 to 7 years in prison and a minimum fine of Rs 1,000,000. This closes a gap in the old system, where a marriage ceremony was condemned but the actual relationship was ignored.

A Landmark Court Ruling: "Consent" Does Not Matter

In August 2026, the Lahore High Court (LHC) gave an important ruling on this issue. The case was reported in the news in October 2026.

The court ruled that a marital relationship with an underage girl is child abuse — even if the girl says she consents. In plain words: a child's "yes" to marriage does not make it legal. A minor cannot give real consent to marriage.

In that case, the court ordered the girl to be placed in the custody of the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau. This is a government body that looks after children who are at risk. The ruling means that when a child marriage is discovered, the courts can order the child to be taken to a safe place, away from the situation.

This ruling backs up the law. It tells families, nikah khawans, and communities: do not rely on the excuse that "she agreed" or "they are happy." The law protects children even from their own agreement, because children are not mature enough to make such a decision.

Step by Step: How to Report a Planned Child Marriage

If you know that a child marriage is being planned — in your family, your neighbourhood, or your school — you can act. Here is what to do, step by step:

Step 1: Gather basic information. Note down what you know: the name and age of the child, the names of the parents or the groom's family, the address where the marriage is planned, and the date if you know it. You do not need proof like documents. Your information is enough to start.

Step 2: Contact the police. Go to your nearest police station and file a complaint. Because the offences are cognizable, the police are required to act. They can register an FIR (First Information Report) without waiting for court orders. You can also call the police emergency helpline.

Step 3: Contact the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau. Punjab's Child Protection and Welfare Bureau handles cases of children at risk. You can approach their helpline or district office. They can take protective custody of the child if needed.

Step 4: Approach the court if the police do not act. If the police refuse to register your complaint, you can go to a magistrate or a sessions court and ask for directions. You can also contact a lawyer or a legal aid organisation for help.

Step 5: Stay safe. Reporting can be difficult, especially if the marriage is in your own family. If you fear for your safety, tell the police or the Child Protection Bureau. You can also ask a trusted teacher, a school principal, or a local NGO to report on your behalf.

Tip for teachers and neighbours: If you notice a student suddenly dropping out of school, or hear that a young girl in the neighbourhood is being prepared for marriage, take it seriously. Early reporting can stop the marriage before it happens. Stopping a marriage before the nikah is always better than a case after it.

What the Police Must Do

Once a complaint is made, the police have clear duties under the law:

Register the FIR. Because the offence is cognizable, the police must register the case. They cannot send you away or tell you it is a "family matter."
Investigate. The police must collect evidence: the child's age proof (birth certificate, school record, or B-Form), the nikahnama if a marriage already happened, and statements from witnesses.
Arrest the accused. Since the offences are non-bailable, the police can arrest the accused persons — parents, groom, nikah khawan, or facilitators — as the investigation requires.
Protect the child. The police should make sure the child is safe during the investigation. If the child is at risk at home, the court can order custody with the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau.

Age proof is often the key evidence. If a family claims the girl is 18 but her school record or B-Form says 16, the official record wins. This is why the law puts pressure on nikah khawans to verify age before performing a nikah.

How the 90-Day Trial Works

The new law says that cases must be tried in the Courts of Session, and the trial must conclude within 90 days. This is a fast-track system. Here is how it works in simple terms:

The case starts with the FIR. After the police finish their investigation, they submit a challan (the investigation report) to the court.

The Sessions Court takes the case. Child marriage cases are serious, so they go to the Sessions Court, not a lower magistrate's court.

The 90-day clock starts. From the start of the trial, the court has 90 days to finish. This is much faster than normal criminal cases in Pakistan, which can drag on for years.

The child's best interests come first. The law makes "the best interests of the child" a primary consideration. This means the judge must think first about what is best for the child — not about family honour, not about the groom's rights, not about community pressure.

The child is not an offender. Throughout the case, the child is treated as a victim or a witness, never as the accused. The child cannot be punished for being married off.

Witnesses and evidence. The court will look at age proof, the nikahnama, medical evidence if needed, and witness statements. The police investigation and the prosecutor's case carry the main load.

The verdict. If the accused are found guilty, the court gives the punishment set out in the law — prison time and fines as described above.

The 90-day rule is one of the most important parts of the new law. Under the old system, cases moved so slowly that families could pressure witnesses, and the child would grow up before the case ended. A fast trial means faster justice and faster protection.

Protection of the Child

Punishing the guilty is only half the story. The other half is protecting the child. Here is what the law and the courts provide:

Safe custody. As the Lahore High Court showed in its August 2026 ruling, a child rescued from a child marriage can be placed in the custody of the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau. This keeps the child away from the people who arranged the marriage.
No punishment for the child. The law is clear: a child cannot be treated as an offender. The child is a victim of the adults' decisions.
Best interests first. Every decision in the case — custody, trial speed, witness protection — must put the child's best interests first.
Continued schooling. Ideally, a rescued child should return to school. Teachers, NGOs, and the Child Protection Bureau can help with this.

If you are a child reading this, or you know a child in this situation: it is not your fault. The law is on your side. Tell a teacher, a relative you trust, or call the child protection helpline.

Punjab vs Other Provinces: A Quick Comparison

Child marriage law in Pakistan is a provincial subject. Each province has its own law. This article is about Punjab's 2026 law only.

Punjab (2026 law): Minimum age 18 for both boys and girls. Punishments up to 7 years and fines up to Rs 1,000,000. Cognizable, non-bailable, non-compoundable. 90-day trials.

Sindh: Sindh passed its own law setting 18 as the minimum age for both sexes some years ago. However, laws can change and enforcement varies. If you live in Sindh, check your province's current law before relying on old information.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Islamabad: These areas have their own versions of the law, mostly based on the old 1929 Act with amendments. Their minimum ages and punishments may differ from Punjab's.

The key point: Do not assume Punjab's rules apply where you live. If you are outside Punjab, check your province's current law or ask a local lawyer. Child marriage is wrong everywhere, but the exact legal rules differ by province.

A Note on Recent Developments

Around 16–17 October 2026, there were news reports about committee-stage discussion of possible amendments or exceptions to Punjab's child marriage law. The exact stage and content of these discussions are not fully clear yet. Laws sometimes go through review and amendment after they are passed.

What this means for you: the core of the law — 18 as the minimum age for both sexes, with strong punishments — is in force now. If any amendments are formally passed later, they will be reported in the news. For now, follow the law as described in this article, and check for updates if you hear about changes.

Myths About Child Marriage — Busted

Myth 1: "If the girl agrees, it is not a crime." False. The Lahore High Court has ruled that a minor's "consent" does not make the marriage legal. A child cannot consent to marriage. The law protects children even from their own agreement.

Myth 2: "Puberty is enough; Islam allows it." Religious scholars in Pakistan hold different views on this question, and it is debated. But as a matter of state law in Punjab, the rule is clear: under 18 means a child, and marrying a child is a crime punishable by prison. The state's law is what the police and courts enforce.

Myth 3: "It is a family matter; the police cannot interfere." False. The offences are cognizable. The police can and must act, even if the family objects. A non-compoundable offence means even the family's forgiveness cannot stop the case.

Myth 4: "The nikah khawan is just doing his job." False. If a nikah khawan registers an underage marriage, he faces up to 1 year in prison and a Rs 100,000 fine. Checking ages is part of his job.

Myth 5: "Marrying young protects the girl's honour." Child marriage harms girls. It ends their education, risks their health in early pregnancy, and traps them in a relationship they did not choose. The law now treats cohabitation from a child marriage as child abuse, with 5 to 7 years in prison.

Myth 6: "The old 1929 law still applies." False in Punjab. The 1929 Act has been replaced. The new 2026 law is the one in force.

Myth 7: "Only the groom gets punished." False. Parents, guardians, facilitators, matchmakers, the nikah khawan, and anyone promoting the marriage can all be punished.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the minimum legal age for marriage in Punjab now? A: 18 years for both boys and girls. There is no difference between the sexes under the 2026 law.

Q: What if both families agree to the marriage? A: It is still a crime. Family agreement does not make a child marriage legal. The offences are non-compoundable, so the case continues even if families settle it privately.

Q: Can a child be punished for being married? A: No. The law says a child cannot be treated as an offender. The child is a victim.

Q: What happens to a marriage that already took place before the new law? A: This is a legal question that depends on the facts of each case. In general, new criminal laws punish acts done after the law comes into force. But if an adult continues to live with a child as husband and wife, that ongoing cohabitation can be treated as child abuse under the new law. Talk to a lawyer about a specific case.

Q: How long does the court case take? A: The law requires the trial to finish within 90 days in the Sessions Court.

Q: Can the accused get bail easily? A: No. The offences are non-bailable, which means bail is not a right and is hard to get.

Q: Who do I call to report a planned child marriage? A: Your nearest police station (the offence is cognizable, so they must act), or the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau's helpline or district office in Punjab.

Q: What proof of age does the court accept? A: Birth certificates, school records, and NADRA B-Forms are the main proofs. If these show the person is under 18, that settles it.

Q: Does the law apply to boys too? A: Yes. The minimum age of 18 applies to both sexes. A boy under 18 is also protected.

Q: What if the marriage was registered by a nikah khawan who did not check the age? A: The nikah khawan can be punished with up to 1 year in prison and a Rs 100,000 fine. Not checking is not an excuse.

The Bottom Line

Punjab's 2026 child marriage law is a major step forward. Eighteen for everyone. Prison time up to 7 years. Fines up to Rs 1,000,000. Fast 90-day trials. Protection for the child, not punishment.

Laws only work when people use them. If you know about a planned child marriage, report it. Tell the police. Tell the Child Protection Bureau. Tell a teacher. One phone call can save a child from a marriage she did not choose.

This article gives legal information, not legal advice. For a specific case, consult a lawyer.