LHC orders husband to pay first wife Rs1 million mehr for second marriage

LAHORE (Muhammad Ashfaq) - The Lahore High Court has ruled that a husband must pay Rs1 million as mehr to his first wife if he marries again without her consent. Justice Abid Hussain Chattha delivered the 8-page verdict on the petition filed by Mehnaz Saleem, approving her claim for mehr, maintenance, and the value of her dowry.

The court upheld the trial court decision, stating that the husband is obligated to immediately pay the first wife her mehr if he enters another marriage without permission.

Until divorce is effective, the first wife is also entitled to monthly expenses of Rs15,000 and the value of her dowry.

Previously, the Supreme Court of Pakistan had ruled that a first wife may terminate the marriage contract if a second marriage occurs without her consent.

The Lahore High Court noted that the husband had hidden prior marriages and had verbally divorced the first wife, which does not meet legal requirements.

LHC orders action against tree cutting, summons Advocate General Punjab

The court observed that the wife was forced to leave her home but did not leave due to misconduct, making the husband responsible for her financial support during the iddat period.

The verdict also confirmed that the husband’s failure to disclose earlier marriages violated ethical and legal obligations, entitling the first wife to her full mehr, maintenance, and dowry compensation.

Under Section 6 of the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961, a man who contracts a second marriage without the prior consent of the Arbitration Council, faces up to one year of imprisonment and/or a fine, which in Punjab is up to Rs500,000.