Maryam, 22, and Haiwad 23 eloped from Afghanistan to Pakistan and allegedly got married in Abbottabad in May 2012. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
The case pertaining to an eloped Afghan couple saw a new twist after there were no witnesses to verify the matrimonial contract was indeed legitimate. Arguments will commence at the hearing on June 15.
Maryam, 22, and Haiwad 23 eloped from Afghanistan to Pakistan and allegedly got married in Abbottabad in May 2012.
However, another Afghan national Abdul Rehman, 60, claimed he was married to Maryam since 2006 and has conceived two children Saba and Husna with her.
Maryam has been denying his claim, stating both children were daughters of her late sister, the former wife of Abdul Rehman who died in 2006.
Upon the intervention of the Peshawar High Court (PHC), the case was shifted from Abbottabad to Peshawar. After three hearings on the dispute between Haiwad and Rehman over conjugal rights, on July 31 the court ordered a Peshawar family court to decide the case.
On September 18, Abdul Rehman asked the court to conduct DNA tests of him, Maryam and the two children. Tests concluded Saba and Husna were Rehman and Maryam’s offspring. Haiwad and Maryam, however, expressed reservations over the tests.
On Monday, Rehman’s attorney Ejaz Sabi told Family Judge Kiran Shaukat the prosecution produced witnesses to Maryam’s alleged first marriage who also recorded their statements. Since the couple has failed to produce even a single witness, the case should be decided as soon as possible, added Sabi.
Family Judge Kiran Shaukat later observed recording witness statements was now complete and arguments will commence at the next hearing on Saturday.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 11th, 2013.
COMMENTS (2)
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If she says that she wants to live with the boy, so be it. The old man should be prosecuted for child molesting on his own admission.
If Maryam who is 22 years old sent back to Afghanistan with Abdul Rehman, it will be giving her and her lover the death sentence which the family court can not do. It is unfortunate that Maryam has left her 2 children but she is old enough and could decide for herself and with whom she wants to spend rest of her life, it seems she does not want to live with Abdul Rehman. The court should let them go and hopefully some charitable organization could adapt this couple and send them outside Pakistan most likely to Europe where they could resume their shattered lives. I am sure Abdul Reham could find another young bride but he is bent on revenge and the couple will certainly be killed if sent to Afghanistan or even remain in Pakistan. I say to the family court , I won't want their blood on my hands.