Those who stay single past their twenties in Pakistan, where social norms heavily favor early weddings for women, frequently find themselves enmeshed in a maelstrom of emotional struggles, cultural expectations, and financial anxieties.
The reality for many women is still fraught with difficulties, even if Lahore, a city renowned for its progressive yet very conservative society, displays shifting attitudes.
Overcoming the age barrier
In Pakistan, marriage has long been regarded as the foundation of a woman’s identity. However, attitudes toward marriage are gradually changing as more people have access to professional and educational opportunities. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reports that, especially in urban areas like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad, the average age of marriage for women has risen from 22 in 2000 to almost 26 in 2024. However, in spite of
