LAHORE(National times)- The Lahore High Court heard preliminary objections in a petition filed by Indian citizen Karnail Singh challenging the nikah of his wife Sarbjit Kaur in Pakistan. The court sought arguments on the legal point of how a foreign national can appoint an attorney within Pakistan under local laws. Justice Farooq Haider presided over the hearing. Advocates Nawaz Sheikh and Ali Changezi Sindhu appeared on behalf of the petitioner. Counsel submitted that Karnail Singh had appointed former MPA Mahinder Pal Singh as his representative to file the petition. According to the plea, Sarbjit Kaur had arrived in Pakistan on November 3, 2025, on a 10-day pilgrimage visa. The petition alleged that the woman was blackmailed through objectionable photographs and forcibly converted to Islam before contracting marriage. It further argued that under the Hindu Marriage Act, a change of religion does not automatically dissolve a prior marriage.

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The registrar’s office had raised an objection, stating that the Special Power of Attorney had not been verified by the Foreign Office. During the hearing, the court questioned how an Indian citizen could legally appoint an attorney in Pakistan and directed the petitioner’s counsel to present arguments strictly under Pakistani law. The lawyer contended that such an appointment was permissible under international human rights conventions. However, the court clarified that it required assistance within the framework of Pakistani legal provisions. Granting time to the petitioner’s counsel, the court adjourned the hearing until March 2.