Pakistan criminalises threats of second marriage under new domestic violence law
Pakistan
Pakistan criminalises threats of second marriage under new domestic violence law, alongside six other major bills approved by President Zardari.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – President Asif Ali Zardari has signed a historic domestic violence bill into law, criminalising physical abuse, intimidation, and threats of a second marriage against a spouse.
The legislation marks a major step in protecting marital rights and empowering victims.
The Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2026 specifically addresses threats of second marriage, alongside acts of physical assault and harassment. The law now provides legal recourse for spouses subjected to emotional and physical abuse, ensuring offenders face penalties under the new legal framework.
Alongside the domestic violence law, President Zardari approved six other bills, including the Danish School Authority (Amendment) Bill, the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, the Export Development Fund Bill, and the Transfer of Railway (Amendment) Bill. These measures are designed to reform education oversight, modernise tax policies, strengthen export initiatives, and improve railway administration.
The president also ratified the formation of the National Commission for Human Rights and the National Tariff Commission, reinforcing institutional mechanisms for protecting civil rights and regulating trade policies.
All seven bills had been approved previously through parliamentary procedures, with three passed in a joint session and four by the National Assembly and Senate. Following the presidential signatures, the laws are now enforceable across Pakistan.
