Lahore Resident Faces Fine and Jail Time for Marrying Again Without First Wife’s Permission
A resident of Lahore has been sentenced to eight months in prison and fined Rs500,000 for marrying a second time without obtaining permission from his first wife. Judge Adnan Liaqat of the family court emphasized the importance of adhering to Section 6(5) of the Muslim Family Law Ordinance, which requires written permission from the first wife before entering into a second marriage.
The case was brought to the court by the first wife, Zona Nasar, who filed a complaint against her husband, Muhammad Aurangzeb Khan, for marrying another woman without her consent.
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In Pakistan, polygamy, the practice of marrying multiple spouses, requires explicit permission from the first wife or the arbitration council. Failure to do so can result in imprisonment for up to one year and a fine of up to Rs500,000. Additionally, the first wife has the right to seek maintenance for herself and her children through the union council.
Comparatively, the punishment for polygamy is less severe in countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran, where nationals can legally marry up to four wives without penalty. In Iran, the maximum number of wives allowed is two.
The issue of polygamy in Pakistan has sparked debates regarding potential amendments to the law. Some argue that the current legislation is unfair to men and infringes upon their right to freedom of religion. Others view polygamy as an outdated practice that should be prohibited.
