Web Desk: Haris Khokhar has rejected allegations of physical and mental abuse made by psychologist and social activist Dr Nabiha Ali Khan, saying he faced emotional distress during the marriage and denying claims that he mistreated her.
Khokhar said no physical violence took place against Dr Nabiha and alleged that he was subjected to mental pressure during their relationship. He claimed he was asked to sign a petition stating that he would not live with his family or maintain contact with them.
He denied all accusations levelled against him and said he was relieved to have left the relationship, adding that he believed he would recover and regain his health.
The dispute came into public focus after Dr Nabiha filed for khula, a legal process through which a woman can seek dissolution of marriage, in a family court.
According to court documents and public statements, Dr Nabiha accused Khokhar of mental and physical abuse, inappropriate behaviour and verbal mistreatment during their marriage. She requested the court to grant dissolution, stating that the relationship had become impossible to continue.
The allegations have not been independently verified, while Khokhar has denied the claims.
Following the court filing, Dr Nabiha posted a video on Facebook showing herself signing the khula documents.
In the video, she said she hoped other women would not experience similar difficulties in their marriages and emphasized the importance of dignity, respect and emotional well-being.
The couple’s marriage had attracted significant public attention after Dr Nabiha announced her engagement and wedding to Khokhar last year.
In his response, Khokhar criticised what he described as repeated controversies surrounding the marriage.
He referred to Dr Nabiha’s appearance on a television programme hosted by Fiza Ali, where she became emotional while discussing personal matters. He also mentioned a previous interview in which she laughed while answering a question about the worst decision of her life, saying she referred to her marriage as that decision.
Khokhar said he was exhausted by the repeated public discussions surrounding their relationship and expressed frustration over the controversies that followed their marriage.
Before filing for khula, Dr Nabiha had spoken publicly about difficulties in her marriage and said separation had become a possibility if reconciliation efforts failed.
She previously stated that she had made personal and professional sacrifices to save the relationship, including focusing on household responsibilities, supporting her in-laws and reducing her professional commitments.
She also alleged that family influences affected her husband’s behaviour and contributed to tensions in their marriage.
The matter remains subject to legal proceedings, with both sides presenting conflicting accounts of the events that led to the breakdown of the relationship.
Read more: Shocking development emerges in Dr Nabiha Ali, Haris Khokhar marriage
