Divorce Lawyer Karachi, Family Lawyer Karachi, Pakistan

Divorce Lawyer Karachi, Family Lawyer Karachi, Dissolutions of Marriage can be done by way of  Talaq or  Khula General Information A Muslim Marriage is a contract and can be dissolved like any other contract. It is automatically dissolved on the death of one of the spouses. Other than this, both wife and husband have legal and religious rights to dissolve a marriage. A husband has the unilateral right of talaq, which can never be taken away but can be restricted through the nikahnama. A wife can dissolve her marriage unilaterally only if the right of divorce has been unconditionally delegated to her by the husband in the nikahnama.

Other forms of dissolution of marriage which the wife can use are khula and judicial divorce (including option of puberty). These both have to be sought through the Family Courts.
No matter whether the marriage has been dissolved through talaq, khula or judicial divorce, it is vital that legal procedures be properly followed. Failure to do so can raise doubts about the effectiveness of the divorce and lead to serious legal problems, such as a case of bigamy and zina against a woman who later remarries, or difficulties in settling issues related to the divorce such as past maintenance or claiming deferred haq mehr. The paternity of children can also be disputed.
In addition to any court decree, the woman must make sure she collects her talaqnama certificate from the Union Council and keep it somewhere safe.

 

Talaq (Divorce)

As per Muslim Personal Law and under section 7 of the Muslim Family Law Ordinance  the husband pronounces talaq (oral or by way of Deed of Divorce) and sends written notice by registered post to the Union Council, mentioning address of his ex- wife. Thereafter the concerned  union Council sends a copy of the notice to wife by registered post and it constitutes arbitration Council within 30 days of receipt of notice. Once the iddat period (90 days from the date the union council receives the talaq notice) is over, the union council will issue a certificate of Talaq being effective to the husband and wife.

Please note that talaq is not effective until the expiry of iddat period and failure to abide by law wil cause a simple imprisonment for up to one year and/or a fine of up to Rs. 5000/-The Importance of Registered notice of Talaq

A verbal talaq is not recognised by law and the husband’s failure to send written notice to the Union Council makes the talaq ineffective. Even if the Union Council issues a certificate of talaq, if notice was not properly served on the wife, the talaq can be challenged.

This law was originally designed to protect women from a instant and unrecorded divorce. Before 1979 and the introduction of the Zina Ordinance, a woman who was not properly divorced and who later remarried could be punished for bigamy and sentenced up to 7 years (or up to 10 years if she concealed the previous marriage) and only on the complaint of her first husband. However, since 1979, bigamy makes a woman liable to charges of zina which can carry very severe penalty such as death. Therefore, it is vital for a woman to be absolutely clear about her marital status and to have documentary proof that she is properly divorced.

Notice of talaq can be served on a wife (with the Union Council’s permission) through her father, mother, adult brother or sister – but no other relatives. If this is not possible because her whereabouts are not known and notice cannot be served on her through her immediate family, the husband can still serve notice through a newspaper approved by the Union Council.

Sometimes families make the mistake of refusing to receive a registered notification, fearing that it is notice of talaq. This is dangerous because notice can then be served through a newspaper and the talaq will be effective, but the woman will be unaware of her status.

 

Talaq-i-Tafweez and Mubarat (Mutual Divorce)
In both of these forms of divorce, there is no need to approach the courts, meaning that the marriage can be dissolved rapidly, cheaply and with few procedural problems. In this case both husband and wife may sign a Mutual Divorce Deed and send a written notice under section 8 of the Muslim Family Law Ordinance  to the concerned union council. The Union council will adopt the same procedure as of ordinary notice of talaq.

On the other hand if wife is delegated the Right of Divorce in her nikahnama (clause 18), then she is entitled under the law to adopt the same procedure of talaq for a husband as mentioned hereinabove.

 

Khula (Divorce by Wife through Court) 

If the wife is not delegated the right of Divorce in her nikahnama  then she would need to apply for Khula. Khula, which literally means ‘untying the knot’, is the dissolution of marriage initiated by the wife and is granted by the court. To apply for Khula the wife would need to file a suit for Khula in the Family Court under the West Pakistan Family Courts Ordinance, on the grounds that she feels she can no long live with her husband “within the limits prescribed by Allah’ and such a statement on oath made in her suit would be sufficient to establish her case for Khula.

 

Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act 1939
Judicial khula may also be granted without the husband’s consent if the wife is willing to forgo her financial rights.

 

Grounds for Judicial Divorce
Grounds on which a woman may seek khula include:

 

  • Desertion by husband for four years,
  • Failure to maintain for two years
  • Husband contracting a polygamous marriage in contravention of established legal procedures,
  • Husband’s imprisonment for seven years,
  • Husband’s failure to perform marital obligations for three years,
  • Husband’s continued impotence from the time of the marriage
  • Husband’s insanity for two years or his serious illness
  • Wife’s exercise of her option of puberty if she was contracted into marriage by any guardian before the age of 16 and repudiates the marriage before the age of 18 (as long as the marriage was not consummated),
  • Husband’s cruelty (including physical or other mistreatment, unequal treatment of co-wives),
  • Any other ground recognised as valid for the dissolution of marriage under Muslim law

The Family Court will issue decree and send notification to Union Council which proceeds as if it received the notice of Talaq and once the iddat period of over the khula becomes effective.

At the time of filing of Khula suit the wife usually has to return haq mehr and other benefits received from husband as zar-ikhula, gifts received from husband’s family do not have to be returned court decides how much & what is to be returned on the facts of the case wife’s failure to pay zar-i-khula does not render khula ineffective; husband has to file separate suit for recovery of zar-i-khula

Divorce

  • What is Divorce
  • How to Divorce
  • Signs of Divorce
  • Divorce & Khula
  • Divorce in Islam
  • Divorce Papers
  • Divorce in Pakistan

Court Marriage in Pakistan

  • Child Custody
  • What is Custody
  • Adoption in Pakistan
  • Maintenance Of Child & Wife
  • Inheritance Law in Pakistan

Succession Certificate

  • Letter of Administration
  • Heir-ship Certificate
  • Mutation of Property & Estate
  • Gift or Hiba in Pakistan
  • Power of Attorney

FAQ’s:

When husband and wife cannot live happily together within the limits prescribed by Almighty Allah then they can dissolve their marriage through divorce or khula. The husband can pronounce divorce and wife can file a suit for dissolution of marriage and can also pronounce Talaq, if such right has been conferred upon her. Every divorce or khula case has its own facts, circumstances, drawbacks, challenges and solutions.
We recognize that your case is not just unique,but also critically important to you. At Ghazi & Magsi you will find the help, assistance and attention to bring about the change you need according to the Family Laws of Pakistan. Family Lawyer Karachi

The party filing the suit is called the “Plaintiff”, while the other party to the divorce proceedings is referred to as the “Defendant”.Q: What are the ways marriage can be dissolved in Pakistan?A: Marriage can be dissolved in any of the given ways i.e. divorce by the husband at his will without the intervention of a court commonly called a “Talaq”; by mutual consent of the husband and wife, without intervention of the court; by a judicial decree at the instance of the court and by the wife in exercise of a contractual right of divorce.

Khula is the right of a wife in Islam to seek dissolution of marriage from her husband through intervention of the court. A woman seeks a “khula” while man gives a “Talaq”.

As per Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act a woman shall be entitled to obtain a decree for the dissolution of her marriage on any one or more of the following grounds:
Whereabouts of the husband not known for four years; Husband has neglected or failed to provide maintenance; Husband has sentenced to imprisonment for a period of seven years or upwards; Husband failed to perform marital obligations for a period of three years; Husband was impotent at the time of marriage; Husband has been insane for two years; She was married when she was minor; Husband treats with cruelty; Leads an infamous life; Attempts to force her immoral life; Venereal disease; Incurable form of leprosy; Disposes of her property; Obstructs her in observance of her religious practice; If she cannot live with the husband within the limitation imposed by the Almighty Allah. Beside above, there are also other grounds available to wife for the dissolution of marriages under Muslim Law.

If wife is not delegated the right of divorce in her nikanama (marriage contract form) then she would apply for khula in the court. When the wife files a suit for dissolution of marriage the court issues notice to the opposite party i.e. the husband and if he fails to appear after the due process of posting and publication the court can proceed with the case ex-parte and pass a decree. In case where the husband or his representative appear he is required to file a written statement following which the court has to fix a date for pre-trial proceedings for reconciliation. If reconciliation fails court will pass decree for dissolution of marriage.

No, after obtaining Khula decree from the court you need to file an application before the Chairman Arbitration Council/Union Council of your jurisdiction for obtaining dissolution of marriage certificate.

Yes, wife can divorce; if so delegated in the nikanama (marriage contract form) the said right is called Talak-e-Tafweez (delegated powers of divorce). Husband may delegate right to divorce while contracting marriage as per paragraph 18 of the Nikahnama, then the wife has a right to divorce, otherwise it is the exclusive right of the husband. But if wife has no such right and she wants dissolution of marriage then she can file a suit for the “Dissolution of Marriage” on the basis of Khula or seeks divorce both through intervention of the court.

Your case can be filed where marriage has taken place or where marriage was registered; where the defendant is residing. Wife can also file a case at the place where she ordinarily resides.

Yes, but for that her marriage should be registered in Pakistan she can appoint someone through Special Power of Attorney who will represent her on her behalf in the court.

Guardian and Wards Act is the law, family court can also entertain suit relating to custody of children according to Family Courts Act 1964. General rule is that the interest and welfare of the minor child should be of paramount consideration.

The bridal gifts given to wife in dowry/jahaiz are the exclusive property of wife during or after the marriage. Upon dissolution of marriage wife is also entitled to claim deferred dower and maintenance during the period of Iddat.

Under the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance any man who wishes to divorce his wife shall, as soon as may be after the pronouncement of Talaq/Divorce in any form whatsoever, give a notice in writing to the chairman of the Union Council and also send a copy to the wife. Within thirty days of the receipt of notice of Talaq chairman shall constitute an arbitration council for the purpose of bringing about reconciliation between the parties and after expiry of ninety days if reconciliation fails divorce will take effect.

Yes, they can dissolve their marriage through mutual agreement; the said divorce is called Talaq-e-Mubarat, literal meaning of Mubarat is ‘obtaining release from each other’. The offer for separation in Mubarat may proceed either from the wife or from the husband and as soon as it is accepted dissolution is complete.”

Yes, you can end this marriage under the Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act 1939 if whereabouts of your husband are not known for a period of four years.

Yes, divorce/talaq notice can be revoked before expiry of ninety days from the date on which it was delivered.

If you find yourself threatened, assaulted etc. by your spouse you may file a complaint at the police station against your spouse.

You should not plan to remarry until the divorce is finalized.
Ghazi & Magsi provide services and consultancy on matrimonial and family dispute resolution;divorce agreement preparation; advice on divorce in Pakistan; divorce for overseas Pakistanis; khula for overseas Pakistani’s; court marriage; registration of marriages; polygamous marriages; failure to give talaq notice; division and settlement of matrimonial issues; re-marriage issues.

If you are looking best divorce lawyer in  karachi, Family lawyer in karachi You can contact Ghazi & Magsi  for detailed consultancy and advice.