Permission from arbitration council mandatory for second marriage: Pak court

A Pakistani court on Monday ruled that the permission from the arbitration council was mandatory for Muslim men for second marriage, even if the husband has prior permission from the first wife.

Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued a 12-page written ruling on Monday, according to which it is mandatory to take arbitration council's permission prior to second marriage, Geo TV reported.

"A man who intends to contract another marriage during the subsistence of an existing marriage has to observe the procedure and fulfill the conditions prescribed by the legislature otherwise the consequences of imprisonment or fine or both could ensue," the court ruled.

According to Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961: "During the subsistence of an existing marriage, no man shall contract another marriage except with the previous permission in writing of the arbitration council."