Girl given in 'vani' to settle dispute

Alleged panchayat decision leads to forced nikkah

DERA GHAZI KHAN:

A 14-year-old schoolgirl was reportedly given in vani and forcibly married to settle a dispute arising from a love marriage in a decision by an alleged local panchayat in the Kot Chutta area on Friday.

Police and local sources said the incident occurred in No Tak Muhamid village, where influential local figures convened an alleged panchayat to resolve a dispute involving a man named Siraj from Basti Sewra, who had allegedly eloped with and married a woman, Maham Bibi.

As retaliation and to "settle" the matter, the panchayat allegedly ordered that Siraj's 14-year-old sister, Saniya Bibi, a ninth-grade student and daughter of Munir Ahmed, be handed over as vani.

Sources said the minor girl was forcibly married to Maham Bibi's brother, Siyam Ahmed, son of Abdul Majeed Sewra.

The nikkah was reportedly solemnised by a cleric, Muhammad Farooq, son of Pir Bakhsh, a resident of Basti Dosa.

Residents of the area confirmed the incident to the police, expressing deep concern and anger over the alleged panchayat verdict and the forced marriage of a minor girl.

The incident sparked widespread condemnation in the locality, with calls for strict action against those involved.

Taking serious notice of the matter, District Police Officer (DPO) Sadiq Hussain Baloch ordered immediate action and sought a detailed report from the SHO Kot Chutta. Kot Chutta police registered an FIR under Sections 310 (vani), 369, and 498 of the Pakistan Penal Code against 16 nominated and 10 unidentified suspects.