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18-year girl can decide about marriage: Supreme Court

ISLAMABAD, February 14 2006: A two-member division bench of the Supreme Court on Monday said that girls over the age of eighteen have complete rights according to Shariah as well as law of the land to decide about marriages according to their will.

The bench of the apex court comprising Justice Hamid Ali Mirza and Justice Karamat Nazir Bhindari made this observation while hearing a case of two girls Kiran and Rabia who were produced before the court by the Lahore Police as per direction passed by the apex court earlier.

The bench also expressed its displeasure over the submission of a frivolous application regarding abduction of two girls by Nasreen Akhtar. Both the girls Kiran and Rabia appeared before the court and stated, “We left the house on our own on July 12, 2005 and were not abducted.”

After reading news items regarding their abduction we contacted the concerned police on telephone and then appeared before the Superintendent of Police, Investigation Wing, Babar Sarfraz and recorded statements, both the girls said.

Assistant Advocate General Punjab, Mrs Afshan Ghazanfar appeared before the court and presented a report about the recovery of the said girls.

According to statement of Ms Kiran, “I left my house on my own and contracted marriage with Kamran Maqbool, a resident of Sialkot and presently living in Saudi Arabia. I do not want to go with my parents. I am happy with my married life. I have Nikah Nama and I can produce before the court as well as before the concerned police. The bench accepted the statement of Ms Kiran and allowed her to live with her husband.

The bench also accepted the statement of Mrs Rabia and allowed her to live on her own will and even can file suit for dissolution of the marriage “Khulla” if she does not want to live with her husband. The bench also directed Lahore police to extend protection to both the girls. It may be mentioned here that the Supreme Court has taken up this case on the written complaint lodged by the mother of Kiran, Nasreen Akhtar who is also mother-in-law of Rabia. Nasreen Akhtar was also present in the court.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:2/14/2006