Islamabad : National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) commends the landmark judgment authored by Honourable Justice Ayesha A. Malik of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which reaffirms a woman’s autonomy in seeking Khula and recognises psychological abuse as a valid ground for the dissolution of marriage.
Chairperson NCSW, Ume Laila Azhar, appreciated the judgment as “a progressive step towards a more equitable and gender-sensitive interpretation of family law,” noting that the Court’s recognition of emotional and psychological cruelty as equally serious as physical abuse marks a critical advancement in protecting women’s dignity and well-being within marital relationships.
She further stated, “This ruling upholds the constitutional and Islamic principles of justice, equality, and human dignity by reaffirming that Khula is an independent and inalienable right of a woman — not contingent upon the husband’s consent. It strengthens the jurisprudence of women’s right to self-determination and ensures that their mental and emotional health are given due regard in family courts.”
The Commission also welcomed the Court’s emphasis on adopting gender-sensitive language and eliminating patriarchal reasoning from judicial discourse, reiterating that such progressive interpretations are essential to ensuring women’s equal access to justice.
Highlighting the significance of the ruling, NCSW termed emotional and psychological violence as among the most insidious forms of domestic abuse — often hidden from public view yet deeply damaging to women’s well-being.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
