Witnesses called in Veena Malik’s children case

Model says she has raised children and mother is better guardian

RAWALPINDI:

A Rawalpindi civil court on Monday summoned witnesses in the children's custody case of model and television personality Veena Malik at the next hearing.

The court said that both parties in the case have submitted their replies and now witnesses should be produced on the next date of hearing on November 8.

Veena Malik and her two children, seven-year-old Abraham Khan and five-year-old Amal Khan appeared before the court with her lawyers, while her ex-husband Asad Khattak showed up in the court two hours late.

On the court’s orders, the father had a two-hour-long meeting with both minors in a separate room.

Emotional scenes were witnessed as Asad Khattak hugged and kissed his children after meeting them and also gave them gifts.

Speaking to the media after the hearing, Veena Malik said she had an arranged marriage with Asad, which ended in 2017 after innumerable fights between the couple. The model and actress said that she has raised her children like a mother and a father ever since.

Veena Malik claimed that Asad Khattak was greedy and he filed a custody case whenever he needed money.

She said that courts in both Dubai and Pakistan have given the custody of their children to her and asserted that no one but a mother could be a better guardian of her children.

Veena said her husband had fled to Dubai last time with their children when she allowed him to meet them, after which she had to pursue him there.

She said she fought the case in Dubai for 30 months, and finally won custody of her children.

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The actress declared that she can no longer trust Asad and cannot allow a meeting without the court's intervention.

“I don't trust my ex-husband. He is a cheater and a blackmailer,” she added.

Veena said the father of her children only gives Rs 40,000 monthly as maintenance of her children, which is barely enough as the kids spend that much on candy alone.

The model said that she has returned the money to her ex-husband and is providing a great lifestyle to her children, adding that her family is also supporting her.

She said that she will announce the establishment of an NGO for the protection of the rights of children and women soon.

“After the bitter experience, I have now decided to establish an NGO to end the abuse of women and children,” said Veena.

She affirmed that all preparations in this regard are complete, and she is just waiting to make a formal announcement at the right time.

This NGO, she said, will provide financial, legal, medical, psychological aid to women and children, particularly young women.

Veena Malik's lawyer Bushra Raza said that they are filing a maintenance case soon against Asad Khattak, adding that a Dubai court had issued an arrest warrant of her client’s ex-husband.

The lawyer said the monthly expenses of her client’s children amount to Rs 0.4 million.

Meanwhile, Asad Khattak said that he has faith in the courts and expects justice, claiming that Veena's arrest warrants have also been issued.

Asad said that children cannot be separated from their fathers and their custody is his right. For this purpose, he said that he is taking a legal route.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2021.