What is the khula procedure in Pakistan?

The usual process begins with a plaint before the Family Court with jurisdiction. The plaint sets out the marriage, the parties and the relief sought, and may include connected claims such as dower, maintenance, dowry articles, custody or visitation. The court serves the defendant and attempts reconciliation. Under the current text of section 10(4) of the Family Courts Act, if reconciliation fails in a dissolution suit, the court passes a decree for dissolution forthwith and directs restoration of Haq Mehr received by the wife in consideration of the marriage. The treatment of dower and other claims remains dependent on the pleadings, record and applicable law. After the decree, the relevant Union Council or Municipal Committee process may still be needed for official divorce documentation.

These are preparation documents, not a promise that every item is mandatory in every case. The Family Courts Act requires a plaint to state the material facts, witness information and documents in the party's possession. The court may ask for additional material after the pleadings are reviewed.

• CNIC or other identity documents for the parties, where available.
• The original or a reliable copy of the nikah nama and any marriage-registration record.
• The spouse's full name, current or last known address and other information that can help with service.
• Details of Haq Mehr, dowry articles, maintenance, property or other relief that may need to be pleaded.
• The children's names, dates of birth and current arrangements if custody, visitation or child maintenance is relevant.
• Prior notices, Family Court orders, Union Council records, correspondence and any other case numbers.
• A dated, factual account of the marriage and the events that led to the decision to seek dissolution.

Custody and visitation are not automatically decided by the result of a khula case. The welfare of the child remains the controlling concern in a custody or guardianship dispute. The Supreme Court has also held that an agreement surrendering a child's custody as consideration for khula is not lawful. A parent should obtain advice before signing a settlement that deals with children, even if the document is described as a khula agreement.

A court decree and an administrative divorce record are different parts of the process. Punjab's local-government guidance identifies the concerned Union Council or Municipal Committee as the office for divorce registration and says that written statements and documentary evidence, including a court order where applicable, may be required. The office, forms and current requirements should be confirmed for the place where the marriage was registered. Do not rely on an old fee or processing-time figure copied from another website.