Tag: law reforms

  • Rise in divorces: Lahore doubles number of family courts

    Rise in divorces: Lahore doubles number of family courts

    The number of family courts in Lahore has been increased to 12 from 6 in the last four years, it was reveled in Samaa News’ programme Qutb Online . The number of family courts have been doubled to accommodate the increasing number of divorce cases in the capital of Punjab.

    Samaa News reporter Arshad Ali said that during the coronavirus lockdown, more than 11,000 women filed for khula or dissolution of marriage, adding that approximately 150 khula applications are filed in Lahore.

    “When a case is filed, a family judge first tries to reconcile the couple. The proceedings begin when he fails to do so,” said Ali while mentioning about the delay in divorce cases.

    Read more- Divorce rate highest in Pakistan since 2019: Gallup survey

    A survey in December revealed that the divorce rate has reached the highest in Pakistan. As per the survey, 2 out of every 5 Pakistanis believe that in-laws are the major reason for most failed marriages. The survey also recorded that 58 per cent of the population in Pakistan believe that divorce cases have increased in society, reports The News.

  • New UAE law allows unmarried couple to live together

    New UAE law allows unmarried couple to live together

    The Government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced an amendment to its personal and family laws in an attempt to improve living standards for the country’s multicultural residents.

    Under the new laws, men and women who are not married or related can now freely live together.

    Drinking alcohol will also no longer be an offence. Residents will no longer need an alcohol license to consume alcohol in a private or unauthorized space. However, individuals must still be over the age of 21 to purchase or consume alcohol.

    Additional changes to the law apply to couples undergoing a divorce, where the laws of the country where the marriage took place will be now used if the wedding wasn’t in the UAE.

    Punishments will be harder on men who harass women, including street harassment and stalking, with severe consequences for someone who commits an act of rape.

    Several other law changes related to the court system, inheritance, judicial procedure and mental health have been outlined, with more details expected to follow.