PESHAWAR: The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has moved to formalise the marital laws of one of the world’s most unique indigenous groups by presenting the Kalash Marriage Bill 2026 in the provincial assembly.
Introduced by the Provincial Minister for Local Government, Meena Khan Afridi, the landmark bill seeks to provide a comprehensive legal framework for the registration of marriages and the protection of ancestral customs within the Kalash community.
Under the proposed legislation, a stringent minimum age of 18 years and the mental health of both individuals have been made mandatory requirements for any marriage to be legally recognised. In a significant shift toward modernising tribal social structures, the bill explicitly mandates the formal consent of both the bride and groom, while strictly prohibiting the practice of cousin marriage within the community.
The legislation also aims to provide legal cover to the long-standing Kalash traditions of Khaltabari and Murrat. To ensure accountability, the bill proposes the appointment of a local registrar to manage the mandatory registration of all marriages. While legal records for marriage and divorce will now be maintained in official government offices, the bill respects cultural autonomy by allowing matters of divorce, Khula, and separation to be decided in accordance with established Kalash traditions.
Furthermore, the bill secures the property rights of widows following the death of a spouse, ensuring these rights remain protected under the traditional system. To ensure compliance, the proposed law includes strict penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for those who provide false information or violate the new regulations. Following its introduction, the Speaker referred the Kalash Marriage Bill to the relevant standing committee for further deliberation and finalisation.
