IO receives missing child’s nikahnama

Document bears signatures of the 12-year-old girl and a suspect, mentions her age as 18 years

KARACHI: The investigation officer (IO) probing the alleged abduction of a 12-year-old girl, A*, who went missing on Tuesday, received a nikahnama [marriage agreement], bearing the signatures of the missing girl and that of one of the suspects, Zafar Iqbal alias Pappu, on Sunday.

According to police, the nikahnama mentions the age of the abducted girl as 18 years, instead of 12 years. Moreover, a copy of the document was also sent to the family members of Iqbal's former wife. Police said Iqbal had divorced his former wife about a month ago.

The nikahnama, along with other relevant documents, was delivered via courier.

Police said that they have been calling on the contact number mentioned on the nikahnama and making efforts for the girl's recovery. Besides, the authenticity of the nikahnama received by the IO is also being investigated, they said, adding that a medical examination of the kidnapped girl would also be conducted after her recovery to determine her age.

According to the police, a case has been registered against Iqbal and another suspect, Nawab, on behalf of the abducted girl's mother. Both of them are close acquaintances of the girl's family and used to visit their house often, they said.

*INITIAL USED TO PROTECT IDENTITY

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2019.