By Zulfiqar Memon

NAWABSHAH: Police arrested a 40-year-old man who was marrying a 10-year-old girl in the Sono Zardari village near Sakrand on Wednesday after ‘buying’ her from her parents for Rs120,000.

Akbar alias Akk Zardari sold his daughter Sitara to Rasheed Zardari for Rs120,000 and solemnised her nikkah.

Police also brought Sitara to A-section police station because of security concerns.

Rasheed told journalists at the police station that he had paid Rs120,000 to Akbar for her daughter. His relatives had persuaded him to marry the girl after which he entered into nikkah with her, he said.

Sitara said in between weeping that her father had sold her and she was not aware of any marriage or nikkah. She just wanted to go to her mother, she cried.

She said that her father had earlier sold her three sisters for money through a broker. The elders of the tribe were trying to settle the matter after which she would be handed over to her parents, she said.

SHO Rukhsana Leghari said that the girl was underage and marriage was against the law.

DPO Rukhsar Ahmed Khuhawar said the case would be registered and the accused Rasheed and victim Sitara would be produced in court on Friday.
Source: Dawn
Date:12/11/2009