Pindi sees record number of family cases

RAWALPINDI:

The first month of 2025 saw a record number of family disputes filed in Rawalpindi's family courts, including cases of divorce, child custody, financial support for children, and reconciliation efforts.

A total of 859 cases were registered between January 1 and January 31.

For the first time, Christian women have also approached the courts seeking divorce under new amendments in Christian family law, which now allow them to file for divorce based on khula, similar to Muslim women.

At least 16 Christian women filed for divorce in January.

In addition, 111 men have filed cases to bring back estranged wives who left their marital homes.

Family courts have accepted these cases and issued notices to the concerned parties.

In January alone, the courts issued divorce decrees to eight women, ordered 31 men to provide financial support to their children, and ruled in favour of seven mothers seeking custody of their children.

The month also saw 20 women seek refuge at Darul Aman (women's shelter homes) due to domestic conflicts, while 195 women and girls eloped for love marriages or court marriages.

Legal expert Sabtain Bukhari attributed the rising divorce rate to social media platforms like Facebook, Messenger, TikTok, and Instagram.

The collapse of the family system has become a societal crisis, he said.

"Social media friendships have blurred traditional boundaries of caste, family, and religion, with marriage decisions increasingly based on financial status and online appearances rather than genuine compatibility."

Many of these marriages unravel within a month, leading to disputes and separations," he added.