Police arrest 70-year-old man for marrying minor girl in Swat

Police say girl's father, nikahkhuwan, witnesses taken into custody

SWAT:

Police arrested a 70-year-old man on Monday for marrying a minor girl in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Swat district. 

According to reports, the man was married to the 13-year-old girl by her father. Police also arrested the girl's father, the nikahkhuwan, and the witnesses of the marriage ceremony.

The rescued girl was taken into safe custody and was sent to a local hospital for medical tests and a check-up.

Station House Officer (SHO) Roshan Ali said the parties involved in the incident have been apprehended and maintained that the investigation is underway, following "compliance with legal requirements".

The police stated that appropriate action would be taken in accordance with the law.

Under Pakistan’s current law, the Marriage Restraint Act of 1929, sets the minimum age for marriage at 16 for girls and 18 for boys.

Read CPWB sends Child Marriage Bill to home dept

Yesterday, a court in Thatta district directed the police to provide protection to two minor girls who were given in marriage to two adults of a family whose woman had recently eloped with the girl's uncle.

The court ordered the police to take action against the people imposing forced marriage on the girls under the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2013.

On April 9, a case was registered against those who allegedly forcibly converted and married an 11-year-old non-Muslim girl in the Ferozwala area of Sheikhupura district.

On April 25, Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) Chairperson and Member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab, Sara Ahmed sent the Child Marriage Bill to the Secretary of the Home Department.

According to the bill, the minimum age of marriage for boys and girls has been set at 18 years.