Lahore: (RightNow) The Lahore High Court has dismissed a husband’s petition, stating that a Khula (divorce initiated by the wife) decree does not automatically nullify the wife’s right to Haq Meher (dower). The court upheld the decision of the Family Court.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the Lahore High Court stated that physical, mental, emotional, verbal, and economic abuse also fall under the category of cruelty. If cruelty by the husband is proven, the wife is entitled to Haq Meher.

According to the court order, the petitioner had set a Haq Meher of 1 lakh rupees during the marriage on March 18, 2022. The woman filed a claim in the Family Court for Khula, maintenance during Iddat (waiting period), and recovery of Haq Meher.

The Family Court dissolved the marriage and ordered the husband to pay 50% of the Haq Meher, while the Trial Court deemed the petitioner’s appeal inadmissible. The court stated that the wife’s testimony is sufficient to prove cruelty.

It is noteworthy that the court mentioned that the absence of a medical report or FIR does not dismiss the claim of cruelty. The court ordered that a Khula decree cannot be granted without the wife’s consent.