Punjab

Police called to court in gay marriage case

‘Police needs to file an FIR against my brother for marrying a man’.

Rana Yasif May 11, 2011

LAHORE:

An additional sessions judge has issued a notice to the police in a petition that seeks the registration of an FIR against two men who were allegedly married to one another in the UK and have now come to live in Pakistan.

Muhammad Nauman, a resident of Multan Road, filed the petition asking the court to order the police that an FIR be registered against his brother, Hafiz Salman Talib, and his alleged spouse, Muhammad Zaheer Abbas, for marrying one another.

The complainant told the court that his family had sent Talib to UK for education. He said that in April, Talib and Abbas came to Pakistan. The family, he said, spoke with Talib about getting married. According to Nauman, his brother made up excuses but finally told them that he had already married Abbas in the UK.

Talib showed the family a certificate of civil partnership, Nauman said.

The complainant said when the family tried to separate the two, they fled from the house.

The complainant told the court that he went to the police station to register a case against the two men but the police officials refused to entertain it. He said that the police had told him that UK law allowed men to live as a couple. The police, he said, told him that no action could be taken against them in Pakistan. Nauman prayed to the court that the SHO be directed to register an FIR against the men and the police be directed to arrest them.

The judge issued notices to the police for the next date of hearing, May 14.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (21)

Arne | 12 years ago | Reply The law of Nature? Where can I find this law so that I can read and be enlightened? Even Wikipedia cannot not help me.

Zakintosh | 12 years ago | Reply Amazing how many people in the West and the East are appalled by homosexuality and, yet, a whole breed of the people go on practicing it despite the murders, hatred, discouragement and anger they face. It's the same with bisexuality — greatly discouraged … and on and on it goes. The 'Abrahamic religions' considered it a 'sin', but many others did not. And even the Jews and Christians (I am talking of rabis & priests) are looking at the way the one major incident that is in their books (and also mentioned in the Quran) is subject to different interpretations and homosexuality will soon be 'accepted' among those two. We'll go that way … though late!

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M Ali Khan | 12 years ago | Reply @siddiqui: lol. what two people do in the privacy of their bedrooms with ADULT CONSENT is not, and should not, be the business of others. Pedophilia involves an adult using a below-age MINOR when no consent is involved and is a crime. necrophilia? get real! if you really want to talk about our 'culture' being strictly non-LGBT, then all you need to do is read about the love shared between one of our much celebrated 'muslim hero' Mahmud Ghaznavi and his Turkish slave Ayaz, sufi saint Shah Hussain and a young Brahmin boy named Madho Lal, and so on so forth that became part of Sufi poetry and music!

Phunk Factor | 12 years ago | Reply @Shine: "3) It does not lead to an environment facilitating the upbringing of children." BS!!! Read this; http://www.azcentral.com/news/azliving/articles/2011/05/02/20110502gay-dads-ham-family-12-adopted-kids.html We can be just as good parents as any other couple!

M Ali Khan | 12 years ago | Reply Live and let live. If two people love each other, then its no one else's business. May Salman Talib and Zaheer Abbas be happy with each other without any prejudice and harm. We Pakistanis often just need an excuse to harm or kill someone just because someone dares to be from a different sect, religion, caste, ethnicity, political views, and in this case sexual orientation. LEAVE THEM ALONE!

siddiqui | 12 years ago | Reply what about inter-species sex? would it one day become desireable lawful as it is found in nature? what about pedophilia as it has also been observed? what about necrophilia? a society always have some inherent values... unfortunately, homo-sexuality is not one of them in ours... similarly polygamy is undesirable in some other cultures... however the way it has been crimnalised and is an object of scorn should be changed... the main reason for such a behaviour is because often when homo-sexuality gets highlighted in our society, it involves a frustrated individual assaulting a minor... homo-sexuality is as normal the above... just as one would offer help to the individuals indulging in one of the above, same should be done with homo-sexuality...

Ali Kazmi | 12 years ago | Reply Also, this whole idea of tolerating LGBT people being a "Western" thing does people of the East a great disservice. When people argue that, they're arguing that Eastern people are naturally bigoted and stupid and that too be truly "Eastern" means to be unwilling to do anything to be enlightened, tolerant and decent. I'm a brown Eastern man and I reject such racism! Do people who think that homophobia is an "Eastern value" not realize that they're principally no different from white racists who think that dark skinned people are savages? See, this is why I said homophobes are just as bad as racists. The logic (or rather illogic) behind homophobia is no different than the logic behind racism. Homophobes are racist without even realizing it!

Ali Kazmi | 12 years ago | Reply @tungalahore: Tungalahore, "it is wrong ali kazmi and no matter how much u justify it with enightenment it is still wrong!" In other words, you admit your views are unenlightened and you're not open to reason. And are you arguing that non-procreative sex is wrong? Well, if it isn't, why not outlaw marriage between two sterile heterosexual adults and throw married menopausal women who don't have kids behind bars? Married menopausal women who don't have kids could be assumed to have had at least some recreational sex. And how can you determine what a body part is "meant for"? Do you determine what a body part is "meant for" by what it does involuntarily the way feces passes through an anus? In that case, manual labour, writing and so on should be considered immoral because those require volition the same using your anus for sex does. And the anus is a very erogenous part of the body. It is just as much a sex organ as the genitalia are. And finally, the argument that God didn't make men to marry men and made Adam and Eve and hence homosexuality is wrong is a non sequitur. Also, you can't argue that homosexuality is wrong because religion forbids it. You have to explain why it does. I know why religion forbids murder, rape and theft, but I can't see why it forbids homosexuality. You can't answer my question with something as harebrained as "Because it's sinful, ungodly and debauched!" because that would be a circular argument. Face it, homosexuality isn't immoral. There's nothing inherently wrong with it. It's not a disorder, it doesn't cause anyone any harm and repressing it can only cause problems. There are good reasons against forbidding homosexuality!

Mohsin Sayeed | 12 years ago | Reply Ali, not to forget lions, giraffes, ducks, monkeys and so many other species...

Ali Zaidi | 12 years ago | Reply Shine, your problem is you fear the other and loath the similar. If homosexuality is unnatural then are Dolphins, cats, Elephants, humans etc aliens?

Faran | 12 years ago | Reply Being gay is not a choice. It is not like when you were born you are supposed to fill out a form which asks you what side you would like to be one. I am actually surprised the police for once showed some sense and did not take any rash reactions. Some of the comments are idiotic and barbaric..like noor...why do you care what two men do? why is it your problem? The brother is just being a vengeful idiot. What will he gain from getting his brother in Jail or killed? There are much much much more important crimes taking place in Lahore....gay marriage taking place in the U.K should be the last of the problems! Who cares what two men are doing in their bedroom. You bigots should mind your own damn business and let the men be in peace!

Mohsin Sayeed | 12 years ago | Reply @Shine, I am glad that at least your self awareness level is better than Noor. At least you admit that you are uncivilised, bigoted and uncultured. That's a good start as awareness of the problem is quarter of the solution. There's hope for you. Today, you are aware, hopefully tomorrow you will think about it and try to get rid of these horrible diseases and you remain trying soon you will be civilised, tolerant, accepting, non judgmental and cultured. You say: "1) It is an un-natural union. It is against the law of nature. So how do you know it is unnatural? Have you studied the whole Nature? Are you an expert on Nature? The word is 'abnormal' which you might want to use next as it is away from the norms of our society. Because in our society open gay relations are not accepted. We are in denial. Although, you cannot swing a dead cat in Pakistan without hitting a gay/bisexual or lesbian. But like Iranian Ahmedi Nijad, we are also in denial. Wake up and smell the coffee. "2) It is condemned, unanimously, by all revealed religions" And do you know why it has been condemned by 'Organised religions'? Because homosexuality affects procreation. Of course, people will not be multiplying like cockroaches, and there won't be slaves to run this world and also people will be free from this vicious cycle of life. And that no clergyman or mullah or rabbi can stand. They just cannot affod to lose control over people's lives and minds. It threatens their existence. That's why Sufism, Budhism remain silent on the matter of homosexuality because it is a very private matter between God and a human being. (Do notice that I used organised religion and not Real Religion: the difference between the two is that the former has for the the middle man ie the broker meaning mullah, rabbi or clergyman as incharge of God and is ritualistic, while the latter is spiritual and eliminates the broker of God and puts the banda directly in touch with his Creator) "3) It does not lead to an environment facilitating the upbringing of children." No one can facilitate homosexuality by introducing it in the upbringing manual or eliminate it by crushing it. If your child has that in him/her, he/she will end up being one. This is very simple, but people like you and Noor who think it is a disease or it is exposure that leads you to become gay, are so funny. No one BECOMES gay. You are or you are not. The most one can do is to curtail the urge and become closeted, meaning loving same sex and having sex secretly. Yes, you can become gay bashers, homophobes just by curbing it and showing that you hate gays so that no one notices your desires, but NO ONE CAN BECOME GAY. And don't be so arrogant, who knows your own child is gay. In fact, most likely it will happen because God doesn't like when his creature is humiliated and hated. So, he makes sure those who humiliate and hate His creatures experience the same in their closest loved ones they hated about others. God works in mysterious ways and we should never be arrogant and hurt people feeling moralistic and judgmental. He works in mysterious ways. I am saying all this to you because you admiited you are uncivilised, bigoted and unclutured, therefore there is hope for you.

Mohsin Sayeed | 12 years ago | Reply @Noor, If you talk about legalities, then nothing can be done against the two as they are not married here, and Pakistani laws are not applicable on British citizens or deeds registered under the British Law. It's not the jurisdiction of our courts. And the homophobe brother has no proof of their partnership. Proof is required for a trial. The Police for once showed maturity and acted upon law. We must praise the Police. And as for LHC issuing a notice to the SHO is concerned, LHC is the Lahore bench of Saudi judiciary which decrees to lash little orphan girls aged between 12 to 18 for misbehaving with the director of the orphanage, and 90 lashes to an eight-year-old girl for throwing a cup at her principal. And Lahore High Court certainly idolizes Suadi judiciary. And what's your problem? You don't practice homosexuality, but you have no right to condemn those who do. And Islamic Republic of Pakistan doesn't become an Islamic state just putting 'Islamic' in front of the name of the country. There are heinous crimes that go unnchecked which are not allowed in any society but are practiced and encouraged here one instance is gang rape, jirga. I am sure you must have heard of Mukhtaran Mai. But your bigotry tells me that you are one of those who blamed her for it.

Meera Ghani | 12 years ago | Reply What is wrong with this Nauman fellow, he rather see his brother rot in jail than happily married. What will become of this society that makes other peoples personal and private matters their own business. This case represents the sad truth of our society. Where people hide their bigotry and hate under the guise of Islam. Islam teaches tolerance. How can any society in the 21st century sanction two consenting adults getting stoned to death for their sexual orientation. Does that in any way sound humane to you? We have more important issues that should be brought before the courts. Pakistan is infested with rapists, murders, and extremists carrying out attacks on innocent people and here we have the court preoccupied with how two people decide to spent their lives.

Ali Kazmi | 12 years ago | Reply @Shine: Shine, Against the laws of nature? Are you serious? Homosexuality is very common, even the norm, in thousands of species. I shouldn't even have to tell you this. This is common knowledge. But all of this is perfectly irrelevant. Your first argument is an appeal to nature logical fallacy. Driving cars, open heart surgery and drinking out of a styrofoam cup are all "against the order of nature" and yet your sort doesn't have a problem with those things. First of all, not everybody believes the Abrahamic faiths are revealed religions. There is no evidence that any of the "revealed religions" were truly revealed. Furthermore, why don't Abrahamic faiths permit homosexuality? There are perfectly logical reasons why Abrahamic faiths forbid rape, murder and theft, but can you explain why they forbid homosexuality? Your first argument is a fail. Nonsense. Studies show that LGBTIQ parents are perfectly capable parents. In fact, some studies suggest that lesbian parents tend to be the best. Using your logic, we should forbid gay and straight couples from raising kids and only let lesbian couples have kids.

tungalahore | 12 years ago | Reply it is wrong ali kazmi and no matter how much u justify it with enightenment it is still wrong!!it is against the law of nature!humans copulate to produce and not to enjoy only!!!anus is meant for excreta and not for sex!!!GOD definitely didnt make men to marry men!!!it was always adam and eve!!!so this liberal mindset can stay in the west

Shine | 12 years ago | Reply Ali Kazmi, before you start unleashing your enlightened bonanza on the rest of us bigoted - uncivilized - uncultured idiots you need to consider that 1) It is an un-natural union. It is against the law of nature. 2) It is condemned, unanimously, by all revealed religions 3) It does not lead to an environment facilitating the upbringing of children.

Ali Kazmi | 12 years ago | Reply @noor: "in Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the law forbids any such relationship and the accussed, if proven guilty, are liable to be stoned to death." No one's questioning the existence of laws against homosexuality, like 377. No one questions the existence of racists, dictators, terrorists, idiots, und so weiter either. What I want to know is why homosexuality is a crime in this country. Is it because religion considers it a sin? Well, why does it? And no, gay people didn't make AIDS, they're not demented pedophiles or in any way different from straight people apart from the fact that they like members of the same sex.

Ali Kazmi | 12 years ago | Reply Our justice system is a bad, bad joke! What's wrong with two men (or two women) being married to each other? Homosexuality cannot possibly be condemned on logical grounds and homophobes are just as bigoted and despicable as racists. Who you love and sleep with is nobody's business if the person you love and sleep with is not a child. The reason Pakistan is so depraved, backward and dangerous is that Pakistanis don't realize that they have no right to micromanage other people's lives.

noor | 12 years ago | Reply in Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the law forbids any such relationship and the accussed, if proven guilty, are liable to be stoned to death. Police must register the case, especially once these are Pakistani nationals. if UK allows such partnership, they should remain within its boundary.

Sarah | 12 years ago | Reply Throw cases like this out the very first day. What implication does a civil partnership in the UK have in Pakistan? ZERO. What is this idiotic brother thinking wasting the time of the court!! What sort of remedy is he even seeking? There's not a thing he can do about that civil partnership in the UK and he should be fined for wasting the precious time/resources of the court which could have instead been entertaining a genuine case.

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