Dua's husband claims threat to life, SHC issues notices

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday accepted a request by Zaheer Ahmed – the 'husband' of Dua Zehra – after he claimed his life was in danger and issued notices to relevant authorities. 

The petitioner’s lawyer alleged that “suspicious armed” people were seen on the city court premises on Thursday and added that “threats to kill my client and Dua are on record”. 

The lawyer further claimed that “SHO City Court refused to grant [them] protection” and implored that the interior department, its secretary and IG Sindh should be instructed to provide "complete security" to Zaheer.

The SHC issued notices to the attorney general, advocate general, department of interior secretary, IG Sindh, additional IG investigation and investigation officer (IO), and others and directed them to respond by July 29.

Read Individual freedom and the state: are they germane today?

Furthermore, the court also heard petitions with regards to Zaheer and Shabbir’s bank accounts and their National Identity Cards (CNICs).

The counsel informed the court that his clients' bank accounts remained frozen despite an order being passed and requested the court to restore the same.

In this regard, the court issued notices to secretary finance, governor State Bank of Pakistan, federal secretary interior, IG Sindh, and DG NADRA and asked the parties to also respond by July 29.

Dua Zehra had allegedly married of her own free will. However, earlier this month, a special medical board determined that Dua was aged between 15 to16 years, but nearer to 15 years, giving support to the contention of her father that she is underage and that she was lured into marriage.

The court of East Additional District and Sessions Judge had granted interim bail to accused Zaheer and Shabbir in Dua Zehra alleged kidnapping case on July 21.

Meanwhile, Dua had submitted a plea to the sessions court where she cited "constant threats" from her parents and her relatives.

The teenager had also maintained that she was “not on good terms” with Zaheer Ahmed, the man who contracted a marriage with her.