What Is The Procedure For a Wife To File For Divorce In Pakistan?

In Pakistan, a wife seeking a divorce must follow a defined legal process based on Islamic law and civil statutes. Unlike a husband, who can unilaterally pronounce Talaq , a wife cannot end the marriage without judicial involvement unless she has been granted the right of divorce ( delegated talaq or Talaq-e-Tafweez ) in the marriage contract. If that right is not granted, she must file for divorce through the courts, commonly known as Khula . The Divorce Procedure In Pakistan is outlined in the West Pakistan Family Courts Act, 1964 , and is designed to ensure fairness and protect the rights of both spouses. 1. Understanding Khula Khula is a form of divorce initiated by the wife on the basis of incompatibility, cruelty, neglect, or other valid reasons. It is a judicial process where the wife must convince the court that continuing the marriage is no longer viable. In most Khula cases, the wife is required to return her Haq Mehr (dower) and may also have to forgo...