Khula cases surge

Pandemic has helped highlight issues that were previously unnoticed and were being suppressed within society

It seems that 2020 was the hallmark year for unprecedented events. As life in the mega-city of Karachi fluctuates in trying to cope with sudden lockdown measures, a rather shocking discovery has emerged. The cases of separation filed in family courts during 2020 surged by a staggering 722% as compared to the previous year. Yes, you heard that right. Figures indicate that while 632 family suits for khula were instituted in 2019, the number jumped to 5,198 in 2020.

Lawyers have given some insight into the issue claiming that while husbands fail to fulfil their social duties and obligations, wives on the other hand want to live the same glamorous lifestyle being depicted on television. Let us unravel this a bit more. Living in a polarised society where the divide between social classes is continuously widening, it is becoming harder for people to earn a decent living, let alone a luxurious one. The psychological reality of our society is such that the majority of the people either suffer from mental illness or are mentally frustrated owing to deplorable living conditions. Here many resort to unleashing their pent-up anger through violence and sexual harassment. Others may attempt to mask their reality by turning towards a different one that is portrayed through television and social media. Even though these entertainment avenues may provide the brain with a hit of dopamine, they simultaneously unconsciously restructure our thoughts, molding societal norms accordingly. The rift between partners occurs when fiction fails to meet reality. When the dream bubble bursts, things appear to be rather different.

But why such a sudden and enormous surge? Owing to increased awareness regarding women’s rights, females feel more empowered to take things in their own hands. Furthermore, the pandemic has helped highlight longstanding issues that were previously unnoticed and were being suppressed within society. In such a situation the only thing that can be done is to ride out the waves as gracefully as we can.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2021.

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