Family courts witness surge in cases

After a one-month summer break, family courts across Rawalpindi district reopened on Monday, witnessing a significant surge in new cases.

On the first day alone, 103 family cases were filed. Nine were submitted by husbands seeking reconciliation with their estranged wives. Notices have been issued to all involved parties requesting their responses.

A notable 78 cases were filed by women seeking divorce through Khula, while 16 women filed for matters related to Haq Mehr, dowry items, child custody, and maintenance expenses. Additionally, three women submitted separate petitions seeking the return of their snatched children. The session courts have instructed local Station House Officers (SHOs) to present these children in court.

The family courts had remained closed for 32 days, from August 1 to September 1, due to summer vacations, during which no new cases were filed. Following the reopening, court sources indicate that 50 to 80 family cases are expected to be filed daily throughout the week.

According to records, most of the Khula cases involve couples who had eloped. Each family court in the Rawalpindi district currently handles 40 to 55 cases daily.

The end of the summer vacation also saw the reopening of all sessions, civil, family, magistrate, and special courts in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. With the resumption of court operations, the district courts have regained their usual activity.

The courts resumed operations on September 2, including regular hearings and filing new family and civil cases. Lawyers have returned from their hometowns, and court facilities such as canteens and photocopy shops have reopened. The regular production of accused individuals from jails to courts has also recommenced.

On the first day back, the district sessions, civil, family, magistrate, and special courts collectively granted physical remand for 28 accused individuals, 16 were sent to Adiala Jail on judicial remand, bail was granted to 13, while seven were denied bail. Three women were sent to Darul Aman (a women's shelter), one woman was allowed to return home, and two individuals were declared absconders with arrest warrants issued for four others.

Additionally, the salaries of four police officers were suspended, and arrest warrants were issued for two police officers. An order was also issued to auction the property of two individuals who defaulted on financial institutions.