The Rawalpindi district has witnessed a concerning surge in family disputes, runaway marriages, and elopements during the first half of this year, according to official data from local family courts.
From January 1 to June 30, a staggering 6,935 familial cases were filed in Rawalpindi’s family courts. Among these cases, 189 men sought legal intervention to reconcile with their estranged wives, while the courts issued 3,718 divorce decrees. Additionally, 61 women were mandated to return to their husbands’ homes as per court orders.
The data further reveals that 174 children were successfully reunited with their mothers after being taken away by their fathers. In a bid to support women’s rights, courts ruled in favor of 115 women, ensuring they received dowry and maintenance expenses. Shockingly, 561 girls reportedly ran away from home to contract marriages, bypassing traditional family arrangements.
Currently, Rawalpindi’s family courts are grappling with a backlog of approximately 12,000 pending cases. Each judge handles between 50 to 65 cases daily, reflecting the overwhelming caseload burdening the judicial system. Experts note a disturbing annual increase of 10% to 12% in marriages outside of traditional family setups, contributing significantly to the rising complications in familial disputes.
Social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube are cited as catalysts in spreading negativity and influencing decisions leading to divorce disputes over trivial matters. Messaging apps like Messenger are also highlighted for facilitating communication that often evolves into unplanned love marriages.
Advocate Asad Abbasi, Chairman of the Punjab Bar Council Human Rights Committee, expressed serious concerns about the escalating divorce rates stemming from love marriages. He emphasized the crucial role of parental guidance in steering young individuals away from marriages based on false promises and mismatched expectations, urging a restoration of traditional family values.
Malik Jawad Khalid, President of the High Court Bar Association, underscored the destabilizing impact of mismatched marriages on the societal fabric, attributing the trend partly to unrestricted access to mobile phones and the internet among young girls. He highlighted the tendency for minor disagreements to escalate, leading impulsive couples to seek divorces under the legal provision of khula.
Retired District and Sessions Judge Shaukat Ali Sajid cautioned that family disputes are sensitive matters requiring a nuanced approach. He advocated for judges to facilitate direct communication between couples instead of hasty case disposals based solely on file records, citing ego as a primary driver of marital conflicts.
The district’s authorities are now challenged with finding holistic solutions to address these complex societal issues while preserving familial harmony and stability in Rawalpindi.
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