'Wife's right to maintenance unconditional'

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has dismissed a petition filed by a man challenging an interim order that directed him to pay Rs75,000 per month as maintenance to his wife and two children.

Justice Muhammad Azam Khan ruled that the right of a wife to maintenance is unconditional and cannot be tied to the husband's claim of conjugal rights.

The court noted that the language used by the petitioner, Umar Akbar Ali Ghumman, against his wife in the plea reflected mala fide intent.

Earlier, a Guardian Judge in Islamabad had ordered Ghumman to pay Rs15,000 per month to his wife and Rs30,000 each for his two children. The petitioner challenged the order, arguing that his wife was "disobedient" and refusing to fulfil marital obligations, and therefore not entitled to maintenance.

The IHC rejected this argument, holding that there was no illegality in the family court's March 6, 2025, order.

The court further directed the Guardian Judge to conclude the case within two months so that the interim maintenance could be merged with the final order.