Protection for Karo kari couple ordered

KARACHI: A division bench of the Sindh High Court on Monday disposed of the petition of a couple who had solemnised an arranged marriage but were declared Karo-kari by their respective family elders in Ghotki.

The bench comprising Justices Gulzar Ahmed and Irfan Saadat Khan also ordered the police to provide protection to the couple and escort them home.

The petitioner, Ali Hasan, and Mehnaz, got married in 2007 in Ghotki.

Later, the woman left her husband after a period of estrangement and started living with her parents. However, she returned to her husband in Sept 2009 after her parents and family elders put pressure on her to obtain a divorce.

Subsequently, the couple was declared to be killed by the family elders and the woman’s family lodged a case against the husband in Ghotki for kidnapping her.

An official of the Ghotki police appeared before the court and submitted that the case against the petitioner had already been cancelled and the police would not take any action against him.

Earlier on Sept 1, the bench had directed the couple to appear before the district and sessions judge, Ghotki, in connection with the cancellation of the case against the petitioner.

However, the petitioner submitted on Monday that he feared for his and his wife’s life if he visited Ghotki.

The bench, disposing of the petition, observed that the couple was not required to appear before the district and sessions court.
Source: Dawn
Date:10/13/2009