Police prevent child marriage

FAISALABAD:

Factory Area police on Saturday prevented the marriage of an 11-year-old girl with a 28-year-old man.

The groom, his father, the bride and her father and the nikahkhwan were taken into custody and will be presented before a judicial magistrate on Sunday (today).

SHO Masood Nazeer said they were tipped off about the ceremony in Sohailabad by some neighbours. He said a police team raided it before the nikakhwan could solemise the marriage. Talking to The Express Tribune at the police station, the nikakhwan said he was unaware of the wedding plans. He said he was called to lead a prayer.
The child’s father, Muhammad Sohail, said he had accepted one Muhammad Siddique’s proposal for his daughter as the latter had promised to transfer the ownership of his house in Sohail’s name. He said he was homeless and his family was living in a tent set up at a roadside. The SHO said he would proceed in the matter in accordance with the magistrate’s directives.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 1^st, 2012.