Family disputes hit record high in 2025

The Rawalpindi district has witnessed a record increase in divorces and domestic disputes in 2025, with 4,980 new family cases filed in Rawalpindi's 44 family courts from January 1 to June 30.

Currently, 26,980 family cases are under trial in the district. Of the new cases, 1,170 involved women seeking divorce (khula).

In 121 cases, children taken from mothers were returned. Courts also ruled in favour of 310 women seeking dowry and dower (haq mehr), and 1,069 women received child support while cases were ongoing.

In 27 cases, estranged wives were ordered to return to their marital homes, while 320 couples were given a week for reconciliation through a Jirga (tribal jirga).

Due to the case load, each family court now hears between 90 and 110 cases daily.

A new survey suggests divorce rates are also climbing among Pakistani couples married abroad. Experts say this is due to rising trends of overseas marriages and social disconnection.

Retired judge Shaukat Ali Sajid stated that social media has disrupted traditional conflict resolution. Previously, elders would mediate disputes, but now women often go straight to court over minor issues, escalating tensions.

Family law expert Kaneez Fatima Advocate added that parents giving young girls smartphones without guidance has led to moral decay.

Many love marriages fail when girls discover their partners misrepresented their education or financial status.

Advocate Sibtain Bukhari emphasised early marriages in accordance with Islamic guidelines and warned that some women filing for divorce already have a new prospective husband involved in their case, even covering legal costs. Legal professionals called for renewed emphasis on family-arranged marriages and greater caution with cross-family unions.