Family attacks woman outside Lahore High Court

Relatives of a woman attacked her in Lahore High Court (LHC) premises over her marriage against their will.

The newly married couple had reached the LHC for seeking an order to quash an FIR registered against the husband on charges of abducting the woman.

As they reached near the court of Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti, the relatives attacked the woman. She was hit with kicks and fists, while a man identified as her uncle also tried to strangle her.

Police officials present at the LHC for the hearing of different cases reached the spot and rescued the couple.

As the police officials were taking the couple towards the courtroom of Senior Puisne Judge Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan, the father of the woman once again tried to attack her but the police foiled his attempt.

The police detained the woman’s father and several other people. However, they were released on Justice Shahzad’s order.

As the court proceedings started, Justice Shahzad asked the newlywed woman to meet her mother in the absence of her father.

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The meeting continued for over half an hour in a separate room.

After the hearing resumed, the couple and the woman’s parents appeared before the judge who asked her about her will. She replied that she wanted to go with her husband.

“Why we are so angry when a girl marries at her own will and why do we not take notice when a boy does the same?” Justice Shahzad asked the parents. The court allowed the woman to go with her husband with tight security till the gate of the LHC.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2022.