Khula under Islamic Law & Judicial Practice in Pakistan: A No Fault Divorce Regime

Abstract

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Marriage is a highly esteemed union in Islam and is treated and protected as an eternal bond. Despite its stress on preservation of marriage  bond,  Islam  allows  its  termination  as  a  last  resort, considering it the most abominable among the permissible acts, for estranged  spouses  if  they  fail  to  observe  the  limits  ordained  by Allah Almighty. The termination of marriage may be by divorce, khula or the order of court dissolving the same.  Research focuses on the termination of the marriage by Khula, exploring its Islamic  as well as the legal perspective with particular emphasis  on the approach  of  Courts  in  Pakistan  for  empowering  women  and ensuring the grant of rights given to them by Islam centuries ago.  The  research  explores  whether  the  amendments  pertaining  to quantum  of  Haq  Mehar/  dower  introduced  in  the  year  2002  by Ordinance LV of 2002, in the proviso of section 10(4) the Family Courts  Act,  1964  and  further  amendments  introduced  in  the province  of  Punjab  in  2015  by  the  Punjab  Family   Courts (Amendments) Act, 2015 are against the injunctions of Islam. The research also explores the proposition of the Council of Islamic Ideology and Federal Shariat Courts on these amendments.