In the first quarter of 2025, Rawalpindi’s family courts saw a significant surge in new cases, registering 1,451 disputes related to alimony, child custody, dowry items, and dower (Haq Mehr) between January 1 and March 31.
Among these cases, 41 husbands sought legal orders to bring back their estranged wives, and 21 Christian women filed for divorce, following new legal reforms that simplified the divorce process for them.
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The courts granted 106 divorce decrees based on khula (wife-initiated separation) and mandated 310 husbands or fathers to provide financial support for their wives and children.
In addition, 13 estranged couples were reunited, and 75 children were returned to their mothers. The courts also helped reconcile 55 couples, leading to case dismissals.
Family law experts attributed the rise in marital disputes to increased social media use, which has contributed to a rise in elopements and love marriages, especially among teenagers.
Legal advocates suggested reforms, including setting a minimum dower and monthly maintenance fees for love marriages, to help reduce family breakdowns. They also called for better supervision of mobile phone use among girls and emphasized the importance of family-approved marriages to prevent future disputes.
