A Lahore man alleges his wife married a driver using fake divorce documents, but the court dismisses the case after an inquiry, exposing a complex legal battle and raising concerns over fraud and household security.
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A long-running domestic dispute involving allegations of fraud, a secret marriage, and forged divorce documents has taken a dramatic legal turn, with the Lahore High Court dismissing key orders and closing the case.
The case dates back to 2001, when Muhammad Shahid Azeem married Asifa Khalid before moving abroad in search of better opportunities. After years of work, he purchased a house in Lahore’s Johar Town and transferred ownership to his wife.
Shahid returned to Pakistan permanently in 2017 and, in 2021, hired a driver, Khalid Nawaz, to assist his wife. According to Shahid, events took a shocking turn when he later discovered that his wife had allegedly been involved with the driver.
The situation escalated when Shahid claimed that Asifa married the driver without obtaining a legal divorce and that a child was born from the relationship in 2023. He further alleged that she, in collusion with the driver, forged his thumbprints and signatures to prepare fake divorce documents and even obtained an official divorce certificate from the Ferozwala Municipal Committee.
Seeking justice, Shahid approached the Anti-Corruption Establishment, alleging involvement of officials in the alleged forgery. However, after no action was taken, he moved the court of a justice of peace, which in August 2025 ordered an inquiry and directed authorities to register a case if charges were proven.
Following a detailed investigation, a key turning point emerged when the couple’s two adult daughters testified in court, stating that their father had verbally divorced their mother. Based on this testimony and other evidence, the Anti-Corruption Department closed the inquiry in September 2025, citing insufficient proof of wrongdoing.
Undeterred, Shahid returned to court in January 2026 and secured another order for reopening the case. However, the matter eventually reached the Lahore High Court, where Justice Abhar Gul Khan ruled that the justice of the peace had exceeded legal authority.
The court observed that under the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment Rules, 2014, such cases fall under a specific legal framework, and a justice of the peace cannot order the direct registration of an FIR or the reopening of an inquiry already closed by a competent authority.
On March 26, 2026, the court set aside both earlier orders, upholding the principle of legal jurisdiction and effectively closing the case.
Legal experts say the case highlights the complexities of family disputes intertwined with criminal allegations and procedural law.
The incident also raises broader social concerns about maintaining professional boundaries with domestic staff. Experts emphasize the importance of thorough background checks and safeguarding household privacy to prevent potential exploitation or misconduct.
