44.—Where, while a maintenance order, an order varying a maintenance order, or an interim order, under the Act of 1976 is in force, an application is made to the court by a spouse to whom the order aforesaid relates for an order granting a decree of judicial separation or an order under Part II or III, the court may by order discharge the order aforesaid under the Act of 1976 as on and from such date as may be specified in the order.