Husband liable to pay haq mehr even after divorce, LHC rules

MULTAN: The Lahore High Court has ruled that a husband remains legally bound to pay the full dower amount, including money and jewellery mentioned in the marriage contract, even after divorce, according to a court order.

The court said that if a husband fails to provide the jewellery specified in the nikahnama (marriage contract), the former wife would be entitled to its market value.

In its ruling, the court upheld a family court decision directing the man (husband) to pay the dower in full, including the jewellery mentioned in the contract.

LHC Multan bench Judge Justice Sajid Mahmood Sethi issued the verdict on a petition filed by a man identified as Aamir Ali, who had challenged the family court verdict.

The high court stated that all items listed in the nikahnama — whether cash or jewellery — collectively constitute the dower and must be paid separately.

According to the case record, the marriage took place in 2011, with the dower set at Rs5,000, five tolas of silver and 10 tolas of gold.

The former wife of the man had argued that her ex-husband failed to provide the jewellery after the divorce.

The petitioner claimed he had already paid the cash portion of the dower and alleged that the jewellery entries in the nikahnama were fraudulent. However, the court found that he failed to prove the claim.

Court records showed that witnesses had verified the contents of the marriage contract and the petitioner had also confirmed his signatures.

The court ruled that the family court’s decision was based on evidence and did not warrant interference, adding that higher courts only intervene if a lower court ruling is found to be unlawful.

The high court upheld the family court’s order, directing full payment of the dower.