The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has passed the Kalash Marriage Bill 2026, introducing a formal legal framework for the solemnisation and registration of marriages within Pakistan's Kalash community.

The new legislation aims to provide official legal recognition to marriages conducted according to Kalash customs while protecting the rights of community members in matters related to family status, inheritance and legal documentation.

Under the law, every marriage must be based on the free and mutual consent of both individuals. Both parties must be at least 18 years old and mentally capable of giving consent. The bill also prohibits marriages involving relationships that are not permitted under the law.

One of the most notable provisions is the ban on marriages between first cousins within the Kalash community. Lawmakers say the measure has been included as part of the legal framework governing Kalash marriages.

The legislation makes marriage registration mandatory, requiring every marriage to be officially recorded through a designated local registrar. The move is expected to resolve long-standing issues faced by Kalash families due to the absence of formal marriage records.

The law also addresses inheritance and property rights, stating that the distribution of property following the death of a husband will be determined according to the traditional Kalash system, subject to the provisions of the new legislation.

In addition, the bill introduces penalties for violations, including providing false information or failing to register a marriage.

Originally introduced in the provincial assembly in April, the bill was reviewed by the relevant committee before receiving final approval. The legislation is expected to strengthen legal protection for the Kalash community while preserving its cultural traditions through official recognition under provincial law.