Domestic Violence Cited as No. 1 Reason
Despite the fact that divorce is frowned upon in Pakistani society, there has been a record increase in women filing for divorce in Karachi.
Last year, more than 18,000 cases of `khula’ (women filing for divorce) were pending in five family courts in Karachi by women under 30 years age.
Why are divorce cases increasing and what is the difference between divorce and `khula?’
Women’s rights activists say that more women are growing conscious of their rights and visit courts in greater numbers.
Moreover, they say that judges have been turning divorce into `khula’ cases.
The activists say that the positive aspect of this is that women get divorce more easily from oppressive marriages.
However, they say women are negatively impacted by losing the financial right promised at the time of marriage – also called `Haq e Mehr.’
Earlier, it was more difficult to obtain `khula’ but Islamic law has been amended to allow women to request it in front of a judge.
The husband is given three notifications that he should appear in court.
If the husband does not appear in the court, then the decision is given in favor of the next party i.e. his wife.
Previously clerics acted to annul column 18 in the marriage contract `Nikahnama.’ In that column, the man confers the right to divorce to the woman.
Women’s groups have found domestic violence as the prime reason for women seeking divorce.
They subsequently refer the victim for free legal aid.
The groups report that the patriarchal system ensures that men keep women under their thumb. However, growing awareness among women about their human rights has resulted in the increasing number of divorces.