Human Rights Directorate: Forced marriage case settled within 24 hours

14-year-old girl’s marriage had been arranged with a 40-year-old man.

PESHAWAR: Fourteen-year-old Shahista, who filed an appeal at the Human Rights Directorate (HRD) against being married forcefully, was given justice within 24 hours.

According to HRD Director Riffat Amir, the case was taken up for hearing at 3pm on Wednesday and settled by Thursday 9am.

Shahista’s parents had arranged her wedding with a medical technician, Imran, who was 40-years-old and already married. She challenged their decision in court on Monday.

The girl’s nikkah was scheduled for February 3, but she escaped from her parents’ house and took shelter at Hashtnagri police station where she was advised to take the matter to court.

Her brother-in-law Bakhtiyar then brought her to court where she recorded her statement.



HRD called Imran and Shahista’s parents on Thursday who assured in writing that they will not force Shahista to marry anyone.

The girl said she did not want to go back to her parents’ house and went to her sister’s place.

* name has been changed to protect identity

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2013.