Khula procedure in the Family Court: step by step

Khula is the wife's right to seek dissolution of marriage through the Family Court under the Family Courts Act 1964 — she need not prove fault; her declaration that she cannot live within the limits prescribed by Allah suffices once reconciliation fails.

Filing and service

File a plaint before the Family Court of the district where the wife ordinarily resides. The court issues summons; the husband is served and files a written statement. Non-appearance leads to ex-parte proceedings after proper service is recorded.

Reconciliation and decree

The court must attempt reconciliation. Only when efforts fail does it proceed to decree khula. If the marriage was consummated, the court ordinarily directs return of benefits received — commonly the haq mehr (dower) — as consideration, though the amount is at the court's discretion.

Post-decree, the dissolution is intimated to the concerned Union Council/Chairman for the statutory notice process under the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance. For the authorities on khula consideration amounts, search SanadAI — verified pinpoints only.