Important instructions have been issued regarding marriage registration certificates in the former FR Peshawar region. The Assistant Director of Local Government has ordered all secretaries to strictly follow the rules without any relaxation.

According to the circular, verification of NADRA registration forms, school certificates, or birth certificates is now compulsory before registering any underage marriage. No application for an underage marriage will be accepted unless the age verification process is fully completed.

The circular also states that in the case of divorce, the divorce deed and ‘khula’ documents must be verified. For a widow’s marriage registration, attaching the husband’s death certificate has been declared essential. Approval from the competent authority has been made compulsory for a second marriage.

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Officials have further instructed that every marriage must be recorded in the council’s official marriage register, and all required documents must be attached with the annual marriage registration return.

The communication also directs that marriage registration records be uploaded immediately to the online MIS system. Unnecessary delays are prohibited, and all registration files must be processed on time.

Village secretaries have been assigned the responsibility of briefing chairmen, council members, and nikah registrars about the updated rules.

Experts say these updated rules appear to target misuse of marriage registrations and help bring uniformity across councils. They note that strict document verification may reduce disputes but could also slow down the process initially. Observers believe the requirement of official approval for second marriages may trigger public debate and calls for clearer guidelines.