Free-will testimony: Court allows teen to leave with her husband

Faryal admits to choosing Islam of her own will

SUKKUR: The Mirpur Mathelo second civil judge allowed Faryal, previously known as Rinkle, to live with her husband Naveed Shah on Monday, while ordering the police to provide protection to the couple. Faryal solemnised her nikah with Naveed after converting to Islam on Friday, at the Bharchoondi Sharif Dargah, Daharki. 

Faryal, clad in a burqa, told the Judge Samiullah Qureshi that she converted to Islam and married Naveed of her own free-will. According to sources, the judge repeatedly asked Faryal whether she was under pressure from any quarter. Faryal recited the Kalma-e-Tayyaba and assured the court that both the decisions were her own. Upon her request, the judge allowed Faryal to leave the court with her husband.

The Pakistan Peoples Party MNA Mian Abdul Haq and his son Mian Mohammad Aslam were present at the court. The couple was taken to Daharki amid tight security. Aslam denied the claims by Faryal’s parents and told The Express Tribune that she was under no pressure. He added that the couple will live on the premises of the Dargah for the time being as their lives could be at risk in Mirpur Mathelo.

Mohammad Murad Lund, lawyer of Faryal’s father, insisted that the girl was under tremendous pressure from the hundreds of armed men from Bharchoondi Sharif outside the court.

He blamed the Mirpur Mathelo SHO Zulfiqar Mahar for pressurising Faryal. He said that they will appeal to the high court.

The SHO denied the allegations levelled against him by the complainant’s lawyer.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2012.