Runaway Afghan Couple: Family court yet to resolve dispute

A family court is yet to make a decision to resolve the controversy surrounding the Afghan couple that eloped.

PESHAWAR: Despite clear orders from the Peshawar High Court (PHC), a family court is yet to make a decision to resolve the controversy surrounding the Afghan couple that allegedly eloped.

The couple, 23-year-old Maryam, and Haiwad, had runaway to Pakistan after her family allegedly decided to marry her to her late sisters’ husband, Abdul Rehman. After Rehman appeared before the PHC claiming Maryam was his wife, on July 31 the court directed a family court to decide the case within 40 days. The issue still lingers, as 58 days later the case is still to be decided. Five of 14 witnesses have claimed Maryam’s marriage to Rehman before family court Judge Kiran Shaukat. The case took an interesting turn when Rehman’s attorney filed an application requesting DNA tests of the two children to prove they were Maryam’s daughters with Rehman. However, Maryam expressed concerns over conducting DNA tests in Pakistan saying she they would not be credible. According to Rehman’s attorney, the court is waiting for the original matrimonial contract signed between Rehman and Maryam to be placed on record. The case hearing will take place today.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2012.