Marriage in Pakistan is governed by Islamic law as codified in the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961. Understanding your legal rights within a marriage — regarding maintenance, residence, children, and property — is essential for every married person in Pakistan.

⚖️ 1. Legal Framework

• Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961
• The Guardianship and Wards Act, 1890
• The Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939
• West Pakistan Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1962

📋 2. Key Rights Within Marriage

• Maintenance (Nafaqa): A husband is legally obligated to provide maintenance — food, clothing, shelter — to his wife regardless of her own financial means
• Mehr (Dower): The dower agreed at Nikkah is the wife’s exclusive right and must be paid on demand
• Right of residence: A wife has the right to live in a home provided by her husband appropriate to his means
• Right to Khula: A wife has the right to seek dissolution of marriage through the court
• Talaq-e-Tafweez: If Column 18 of the Nikkah Nama was completed, a wife may have the delegated right to divorce
• Child custody: Mothers have the right of hizanat (physical custody) of young children — sons up to age 7, daughters up to puberty

💡 3. Practical Tips

• Keep a certified copy of your Nikkah Nama safely stored at all times
• Know what was agreed in Column 18 of your Nikkah Nama regarding divorce rights
• Mehr should be agreed in writing and documented clearly
• If maintenance is being withheld, you can file for maintenance in Family Court

⚖️ Need Legal Assistance?

If you need guidance on your rights within marriage, HSJ Legal provides expert family law advice in Karachi.