No arrest for crippling 9-yr-old

NANKANA SAHIB: Though a court has ordered the registration of a case against nine seven people, including Nikkah registrar, over the coerced marriage of a nine-year-old girl with a 50-year-old man at a Panchayt, the Barah Ghar police have not made any arrest.

Seema, the sister of Allah Ditta was engaged forcibly by her father with 50-year-old Muhammad Hussein. But, she tied the knot with Rustam Ali, infuriating her and Hussein’s family who reached a Panchayt – a village council.

The council, comprising its head Yasin and Sarfraz, Intizar and Shahdat decided to engage the nine-year-old daughter of Allah Ditta, Mehwish, with Hussein. Mehwish was brought to the council where Moulvi Munir Ahmed led the Nikkah and she was sent with Hussein.

The police wake up to the report and secured the release of Mehwish. She was sent to Daraul Amman of Sheikhupura following the directives of a magistrate. No arrest was made though the court had ordered registration of a case.

The Nation