Recent reports indicate a sharp rise in the number of khula cases being registered in Islamabad. According to these reports, more than 300 family cases are filed daily, while over 9,000 khula petitions are instituted every month. These statistics have triggered a heated nationwide debate focused on the causes behind the increasing rate of judicial divorces. As a practising lawyer, I closely observe this growing trend from the perspective of the courtroom.
Khula is a form of judicial divorce that enables a Muslim woman to seek the dissolution of her marriage through a court of law. It derives its legal foundation from Muhammadan law and has been codified in Pakistan through two statutes: the Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939, and the West Pakistan Family Courts Act, 1964. The former prescribes the grounds upon which a Muslim woman may seek the dissolution of her marriage, while the latter provides the procedural framework for the expeditious adjudication of family disputes.
In my experience, the foremost factor contributing to the dissolution of marriages through khula is extramarital affairs. The majority of marriages ending in khula involve allegations of infidelity, a subject that society often hesitates to discuss openly.
The second major cause is the excessive interference of parents and in-laws in the marital relationship. In many cases, mothers-in-law attempt to control every aspect of a woman's personal life, depriving her of the freedom to make decisions and maintain a healthy relationship with her husband. Women seeking khula frequently complain of emotional abuse, humiliation, and constant interference by their in-laws, particularly their mothers-in-law, whom they often hold responsible for creating an environment that is not conducive to a peaceful married life.
The dissolution of marriage invariably inflicts emotional, psychological, and social suffering upon both spouses. However, the most innocent victims are the children
Another recurring source of marital discord is the non-payment of dower (mahr). This problem is particularly common where the dower is fixed as deferred dower. Such dower is payable in the future upon the wife's demand. In many marriages, the dower amount is fixed at an exorbitantly high level, making it practically impossible for the husband to pay. Consequently, payment disputes often become another reason for the breakdown of the marital relationship.
Drug addiction is yet another significant factor contributing to the rising number of khula cases. According to recent reports by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), millions of young Pakistanis are struggling with substance abuse. Islamabad is no exception. The increasing prevalence of highly addictive drugs, particularly crystal methamphetamine ("ice"), has devastated countless families. Addiction often leads to domestic violence, financial instability, neglect of family responsibilities, and ultimately the collapse of marriages.
The misuse of social media has also emerged as an important contributor to marital breakdowns. Excessive use of social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram sometimes gives rise to mistrust, emotional detachment, or inappropriate relationships. Moreover, incidents involving the hacking and leakage of private photographs, videos, or voice recordings can severely damage mutual trust, creating resentment that ultimately results in separation.
The dissolution of marriage invariably inflicts emotional, psychological, and social suffering upon both spouses. However, the most innocent victims are the children. They often bear the lasting consequences of broken homes, prolonged custody disputes, and litigation over maintenance, all of which adversely affect their emotional well-being and future development.
To curb the increasing rate of judicial divorces, meaningful measures must be adopted at both the policy and societal levels. Strengthening premarital counselling, promoting family education, ensuring the timely enforcement of women's legal rights, combating drug addiction, regulating cybercrime, and encouraging respect for the privacy and autonomy of married couples are essential steps. Equally important is the need for spouses to cultivate mutual trust, patience, understanding, and effective communication. Marriage is not merely a legal contract; it is a partnership that can endure only when both parties are willing to respect each other's rights and responsibilities.