“READ THE NIKAHNAMA CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU SIGN,” URGES PUBLIC
Posted on October 10, 2024 by News Desk

At an event titled “Mela on Women’s Rights in the Nikahnama,” held by the Legal Aid Society (LAS) in Karachi, speakers urged young women and their families to thoroughly review the Nikahnama, or marriage contract, before signing.
“The Nikahnama is more than just a formality; it’s a tool to secure women’s rights,” said Haya Emaan Zahid, CEO of LAS. Iqbal Detho, Chairperson of the Sindh Human Rights Commission, emphasized that Sindh is the only province where the marriage age is equalized for brides and grooms, under the 2013 Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act, aimed at preventing underage marriages.
Syed Khalid Hyder Shah, Additional Chief Secretary of Local Government, stressed the importance of reading and completing the Nikahnama fully, noting ongoing efforts to collect accurate data on marriage registrars and adding an ID column for better record-keeping.
During the panel, podcaster Elhaam Shaikh pointed out how women often see the contract for the first time at their Nikah, an issue rarely addressed in Pakistani dramas. Annam Khan from Aahung discussed the harsh impacts of underage marriage, including health complications, domestic violence, and mental stress.
Nikah registrar Syed Uzair Al Huda highlighted his experiences with families who skip reading the contract. “The Nikahnama can ensure gender equality, but only when it’s given attention,” he said.
In a performance directed by Sheema Kermani, actors portrayed the struggles of young brides, with slogans like “Kam Umari Ki Shadi Zulm Hai” (child marriage is oppression) and “Nikahname Ko Izat Do” (respect the Nikahnama), emphasizing the significance of respecting rights enshrined in the marriage contract.