Islamabad: (RightNow) The Supreme Court has ruled that a husband cannot be absolved of the dowry obligation merely because the property has not been transferred to the wife’s name. The wife is entitled to the agreed property value.

The decision, led by Justice Shahid Waheed and a four-member bench, emphasized that marriage is a unique legal institution and dowry is a mandatory financial right of the wife. This ruling was made under Muslim Family Law.

Justice Shahid Waheed authored the main judgment, while Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan highlighted the legal significance of the marriage contract in an additional note. The court stressed the accurate reading of various columns in the marriage contract.

The court stated that the dowry entry in the marriage contract can be in cash or property. It also mentioned that in cases of uncertain entries, other evidence will be reviewed.

It is important to note that the marriage contract is a mandatory legal form for marriage, and all its columns must be completed. The court instructed marriage registrars to carefully complete the columns.