Sindh High Court Rules That Women May Remarry if Their Husband Has Been Missing for Seven Years

A Case Rooted in a 14-Year Disappearance

The ruling emerged during the hearing of a petition involving a man who went missing in 2011. For fourteen years, the wife pursued every legal avenue to locate him. An FIR was filed, authorities were contacted, and recovery efforts continued — yet no information about his whereabouts surfaced.

Recognizing the emotional and legal toll faced by women in such situations, the SHC emphasized that the law does not require a woman to remain indefinitely bound to a marriage when a spouse has been missing for an extended period without evidence of life.

Why Seven Years?

The seven-year period mirrors a well-established legal principle used in many jurisdictions: when a person has been missing and unheard from for seven years, the law can presume death. While the court did not declare the missing husband deceased, it held that after seven years of complete disappearance, a woman gains the legal right to remarry.

Court to Hear the Woman Directly

While issuing its ruling, the SHC also instructed that the woman involved be brought before the bench. This ensures her voice is heard and allows the court to confirm her wishes regarding remarriage before issuing the final order.

A Step Toward Legal and Social Progress

The decision is widely seen as a compassionate interpretation of the law — one that acknowledges the lived experiences of women who face years of uncertainty, social pressure, and emotional hardship due to a spouse’s prolonged disappearance.

By providing a clear legal pathway, the SHC has set an important precedent that could help countless other women seeking closure and the ability to rebuild their lives.

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