Husband’s brother granted custody

Parveen Mahar, who had eloped and married Riaz Mahar in Hyderabad, appears before district and sessions court, Ghotki.

SUKKUR: A woman, who was kidnapped for marrying a man of her own choice, was allowed to go with her husband’s elder brother by the court.

Parveen Mahar, who had eloped and married Riaz Mahar in Hyderabad, appeared before the district and sessions court, Ghotki, on Monday. After recording her statement, Judge Khadim Hussain Tunio allowed her to go with her brother-in-law, Ali Akbar Mahar.

According to Parveen’s lawyer, Jamshed Mahar, she opted to go with her husband and requested the court ensure her safety. Her husband, who is deployed in the army and posted in Lahore, was not present in the court. Talking to The Express Tribune on the phone, he confirmed that his wife was safe in his brother’s custody. He refused to give their contact details, fearing more attacks on Parveen.

After the couple’s marriage one month ago, their families started fighting. At least eight people from both families were kidnapped. All hostages were released on Friday but Parveen was kidnapped and allegedly kept in the house of Sardar Ali Gohar Mahar.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2010.