Pakistan’s top court orders major change in haq mehar column in Nikhanama

ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court has ordered authorities to include a separate column in Nikahnama (marriage certificates) a separate column clearly record the legal ownership of property given as haq mehar. Justice Shakeel Ahmed issued the ruling while rejecting a petition filed against a verdict of the Peshawar High Court (PHC). The apex court judge instructed Nikah Registrars and officiants to verify the ownership of property listed in Nikahnama as haq mehar to avoid future legal disputes. The court ruled that no co-owner of jointly held property is allowed to transfer more than their lawful share. A husband may only allocate mehar from his own portion, and any attempt to give the entire property as mahr cannot override the entitlements of other legal heirs. Copies of the verdict have been circulated to the chief secretaries of all provinces for implementation and compliance. In addition, the Supreme Court rejected a civil petition that had challenged a decision previously issued by the high court.