New Directive in Rawalpindi Prohibits Registration of Marriages in Court Premises. A major administrative decision has been taken in Rawalpindi as the government has officially banned the registration of marriages performed within court premises in all Union Councils (UCs). The move comes after a sharp rise in court-based marriages, particularly among runaway couples seeking legal protection.
This newly issued directive aims to streamline the registration system, prevent misuse of court spaces, and ensure that matrimonial procedures follow proper legal channels
Marriages in Court Premises – Rising Trend
In recent years, Rawalpindi has seen a dramatic surge in marriages taking place inside court buildings, compelling the Local Government and Community Development Department to intervene. Many couples, especially women fleeing domestic pressure, turned to courts for immediate nikah services and legal protection.
The new notification has been introduced to address this growing trend and regulate the registration process more effectively.
New Government Order
According to the latest government notification:
- No Union Council in Rawalpindi district will accept the registration of a marriage performed inside court premises.
- The directive applies to all UCs and Tehsil Councils in the district.
- The objective is to prevent unnecessary pressure on courts and keep matrimonial matters within the domain of local registration authorities.
This policy also aims to preserve the prestige of courts by ensuring they focus solely on legal cases, not direct matrimonial activities.
Reasons for the Ban
The ban was prompted by an exponential increase in court-based marriages, especially involving:
- Runaway women seeking safety and legal recognition of their chosen marriage
- Couples facing domestic resistance, forced marriage pressure, or family disputes
- Cases where women sought Khula (judicial divorce) before remarrying
Many of these marriages originated not only from Rawalpindi but also from:
- Jhang
- Faisalabad
- Peshawar
- Abbottabad
- Gujranwala
- Jhelum
- Lahore
The government believes that tightening the registration process will help maintain accurate records and reduce legal loopholes.
Instructions for Nikah Registrars & UC Secretaries
Under the new directive:
- UC Secretaries and Nikah Registrars are strictly prohibited from registering marriages conducted within court premises.
- Violations will result in severe penalties, including:
- Criminal prosecution
- Arrest
- Administrative fines
- Cancellation of Nikah Registrar license
- Job dismissal for government employees
The government has warned that any attempt to bypass these rules will trigger immediate legal action.
Post-Ban Situation Across Rawalpindi
This notification is now effective across:
- 182 Union Councils
- All Tehsil Councils of Rawalpindi district
Administrative circulars have been distributed to ensure complete awareness.
The new policy is expected to:
- Redirect marriage registration back to designated UCs
- Improve record-keeping and documentation
- Reduce misuse of court spaces
- Enhance the efficiency of legal proceedings
Increasing Love Marriages & Runaway Women
Official statistics highlight a notable trend:
- 1,594 women fled their homes between Jan 1 – Sept 30, 2023 to marry the partner of their choice.
- Many belonged to other cities but traveled to Rawalpindi for the court’s perceived protection.
- A large number of these women were escaping domestic violence, forced marriage pressures, or family restrictions.
This surge created administrative challenges for courts and registration authorities, prompting the need for regulatory action.
New Developments & Clarifications
Local government officials have clarified:
- Court marriages are not banned.
- The directive only restricts the registration of marriages performed within court buildings.
- If a marriage takes place inside a court, it must be registered only in the UC where that specific court is located, in compliance with jurisdictional rules.
This clarification addresses misinformation circulating on social media and confirms that couples can still legally marry—just through the correct registration channel.
Final Thoughts
The new directive aims to restore order in the marriage registration system in Rawalpindi by ensuring proper jurisdiction, preventing misuse of court premises, and maintaining legal transparency. While court marriages remain legal, the process now requires stricter compliance from registrars and local authorities.
