LHC Rules Wife Entitled to Dower on Demand Without Specified Timing

Lahore High Court Rules on Dower Payment

The Lahore High Court recently issued a significant ruling concerning the payment of dower (mehr) if no specific time is mentioned in the nikahnama. The court held that the husband must pay the dower upon the wife’s demand.

This decision was made after the court approved a petition filed by Fatima Bibi, seeking payment of her dower. The trial court had previously denied this right, leading to an appeal at the Lahore High Court.

Justice Abid Hussain Chattha delivered a six-page written verdict on the case. The judgment stated that the petitioner had claimed maintenance, dowry, and recovery of 5 tolas of gold as dower from her husband.

The family court had ordered monthly maintenance of Rs5,000 along with payment of dower but rejected the dowry claim. Both parties challenged this decision in the trial court, which upheld the maintenance order but only allowed partial dowry or payment of Rs250,000, dismissing the dower claim.

Fatima Bibi then sought further clarification at the Lahore High Court against the trial court’s ruling regarding the dower. The court found that the trial court had erred and restored the family court’s decision on the matter.