LAHORE (Kashmir English): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) social media activist Sanam Javed has filed a petition seeking khula (divorce initiated by the wife) from her husband, Atiq Riaz, in a Lahore family court.
The court has issued a notice to Atiq Riaz, directing him to submit his response by November 25. The next hearing in the case has also been fixed for the same date.
Sanam filed the petition through her lawyer, Barrister Khadija Siddiqui, who confirmed the development in a statement shared on social media.
Sanam Javed has filed a petition for khula rather than talaq (divorce initiated by the husband)—a process that leaves virtually no room for the other party to seek reconciliation or avert the dissolution of the marriage.
In the case of khula, the woman is required to relinquish the mahr (dower) she received
She is currently being held at Kot Lakhpat Jail in connection with cases related to the May 9 incidents.
Her legal team has urged media organisations and social media users to respect her privacy and refrain from speculation about the matter.
The family court will take up the petition at its next hearing on November 25.
Reasons Behind Sanam Javed Khula Petition
In the petition filed by her counsel, it is stated that Sanam Javed married Atiq Riaz on September 22, 2009. After 17 years of marriage, Sanam Javed has now revealed—for the first time—that there are severe issues regarding mental compatibility between the couple.
She disclosed that she and Atiq Riaz lack mental compatibility, noting that differences and unnecessary misunderstandings have grown over time.
In her petition for khula submitted to the court, Sanam Javed clarified that she can no longer live with Atiq Riaz as his wife; therefore, she has requested that a decree of khula be granted.
