Women constitute more than half of the population of Pakistan. However, they seldom get financial freedom due to the patriarchal nature of the society and structural impediments favouring gender imbalances. Breaking from the past, the Supreme Court has boldly ruled the law by holding that women are entitled to maintenance in matrimonial matters. In the latest case of Ambreen Akram, the main questions raised were: (i) when does a muslim woman become entitled to the maintenance money within a marriage? (ii) under what conditions, if any, the husband must be excused from his marital obligation to pay the maintenance to his wife? The Supreme Court of Pakistan adjudicated the matter in favour of the wife and the reasoning advanced........

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