Pakistan

Panchayat declares two minors 'wani' in Punjab

Girls' family refused to marry their other daughter in exchange marriage arrangement.

Owais Jafri March 14, 2012

ROJHAN: A panchayat in Rojhan declared two-year-old Saba* and nine-year-old Meena* wani on Wednesday after their parents refused to marry their other daughter in an exchange-marriage arrangement.

According to the details, Bilal* – Saba and Meena’s brother married his fiancé Naheed* in court, against the will of the girl’s family and eloped with her.

Jamshed Ahmed*, Naheed’s father, said that it was decided after the engagement that Bilal’s sister will marry Naheed’s brother as per the tradition of watta satta. However Bilal’s family was against this arrangement from the beginning and this resulted in delay of Bilal and Naheed’s marriage.

As Bilal’s family refused to abide by the watta satta, a panchayat was called by Naheed’s family to resolve the issue. They then declared Bilal’s two little sisters wani.

It was also learnt that Naheed’s family had attacked Bilal’s family and threatened them after they opposed the watta satta arrangement.

Police took notice of the incident after receiving a complaint from Bilal’s father and arrested three panchayat members - Qalandar Baksh, Ahmed Baksh and Haji Muhabbat. Police have also registered an FIR against 10 people, including the three arrested.

SHO Ijaz Sindhu told The Express Tribune that police have provided protection to the victims’ family.

Bilal’s father and his relatives have also appealed to Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and IG Punjab for protection.

“We want protection; I have been receiving threats from Naheed’s family and other residents of the area, they want me to take back the complaint,” Abdul Hameed*, the father of the two minor girls said.

*Names have been changed to protect identities

COMMENTS (1)

Mwaqar | 12 years ago | Reply Every time I open a Pakistani news website I read something of ignorance,what is the educational background of these people who make such decisions,its 2012 but these ignorant people are still stuck in stone age and ignorance,is there any power of Law in Jinnah Pakistan?It is both shocking and disgraceful to hear such barbaric rituals in this day and age, Is there anyone who can start a crusade against such ignorant and horrible crimes? In this modern and civilized world some incidents proves that Pakistanis are still living in cave age.Such practices only exist when illiteracy rates are so high. We need to bring awareness and education to all parts of Pakistan if we need to remove such ignorance quickly. It is an utter failure of the “rule of law” when people have to take the law in their own hands and local “jirgas” pronounce judgments contrary to the standards of human rights and justice.

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