RECORDER RPEORT

LAHORE: Provincial Minister for HR&MA Khalil Tahir Sandhu has said that Pakistan has become the first country in the world to introduce legislation for the registration of Sikh marriages.

He said the Punjab Assembly approved “The Punjab Anand Karaj Act 2017” which is another landmark of the government of Punjab.

He expressed these views during his meeting with minority representatives led by MPA Ramesh Singh Arora in the chamber of Punjab Assembly here on Thursday.

MPA Ramesh Singh Arora said he tabled the bill and it was honour for the PML-N that Pakistan had become the first country in the world to introduce legislation for the registration of Sikh marriages.

He briefed the minister the new bill had set the minimum age for Sikh marriages for both male and female at 18 years. Every marriage between Sikhs shall be registered under the Act. For the purpose of the registration of marriages under the Act, the government in a prescribed manner shall grant license to one or more persons professing Sikh religion to be called Anand Karaj Registrar, authorizing him to grant Anand Karaj Certificate. The bridegroom and the bride or a Granthi shall fill the Anand Karaj form and present it within 30 days of the marriage to the Anand Karaj Registrar for registration of the marriage and a copy thereof shall be sent to the chairman.