Lahore High Court upholds divorce sent via email

The Lahore High Court has upheld a decision by the Union Council declaring a divorce effective, rejecting a husband's claim that the divorce, communicated via email, was merely a joke. The court dismissed a petition by Rahil Ahmed, who challenged the effectiveness of the divorce after failing to notify the Union Council as required by law.

Justice Anwaar Hussain ruled that a husband cannot use his own failure to follow legal procedures to keep a woman in a state of uncertainty regarding her marital status. The court noted that while the duty to provide notice lies with the husband, a wife may inform the Union Council of a divorce that has already been pronounced.

The judgment emphasized that the 90-day reconciliation period is not intended to be used as a tool for delaying tactics. The court has recommended that the government consider legislative amendments to close existing legal gaps and directed that the ruling be circulated to all Family Courts in Punjab for guidance.