A Man who said he had been married under Sharia law (Nikah) in Pakistan and could not be divorced in UK has lost a High Court fight in UK.

The man’s wife, who has dual British and Pakistani nationality, had issued a petition for divorce in England. But the man said divorce could only be Granted by Sharia Law in Pakistan.

Judge Mr Justice Francis has dismissed his claim after a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in Birmingham.

He said the wife of man has lived in England and had a right to seek a divorce in England. He suggested if he had ruled in favour of the man he would have been approving “racial and gender discrimination”.

“So far as the husband is concerned, he says that he was married pursuant to Sharia law, that is a religious contract, and he contends that only Pakistan has the jurisdiction to hear this divorce,” said the judge in a ruling. “He does not want to get divorced and does not intend to get divorced.”

Man’s wife, who works and lives in England and pays her taxes in England should have to travel to Pakistan to take divorce from her husband ? “It would mean that she would be subjected to different rules of English law than people of other faiths or other nationalities living here,” said the judge.

The man’s claim had “far-reaching consequences”.

He added: “It would be racial discrimination because what is said is that because the wife has dual nationality, both British and Pakistani, that as a national of Pakistan she should be treated differently from a British citizen who is not a national of Pakistan.”

Original News Source: Asian Image