The Islamabad High Court has ruled that, in cases of divorce, husbands are required to return all dowry items to their former wives, reaffirming that these possessions remain the exclusive property of the woman.
The court further stated that if the items cannot be returned in their original form, the husband must compensate the wife with an equivalent monetary value. In its detailed judgment, the court stressed that women are entitled to ownership rights over their personal and marital property and highlighted the need for stronger legal safeguards to ensure financial protection after separation.
The ruling also called for broader legal and institutional reforms. It directed authorities to amend the nikahnama to clearly define ownership rights, improve awareness of marital rights through education, and strengthen legal clarity regarding financial entitlements within marriage.
Overall, the court emphasized that these measures are necessary to ensure effective enforcement of women’s financial rights in line with both legal principles and Islamic teachings, particularly in family-related matters.
