December 18, 2003	Thursday	Shawwal 23, 1424

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SUKKUR, Dec 17: A worried Shaista Almani on Wednesday recorded her statement before the Sindh High Court, Sukkur bench, saying Balkhsher Mahar had not divorced her and she came to know about it through newspapers.

She was produced before the SHC bench, comprising Justice Zahid Qurban Alvi and Justice Maqbool Baqar.

She denied having been tortured but said she could not walk properly due to physical weakness and mental disturbance.

Earlier, the judges called her to their chamber, talked to her for about one hour and assured her that she would get justice.

She informed the court that she wanted to live in Hyderabad where she could undergo treatment as her sister also resided there. She demanded she should be provided with protection.

Ms Almani also requested that she should be produced before the court every month to ensure her safety.

She said she did not want to remarry and the court should order her parents not to pressure her to do so. She said her parents should also be directed to accompany her to Hyderabad so that she could feel safe and secure.

As the police brought her to the court, Human Rights’ Commission of Pakistan counsel Imdad Awan requested the judges to call her to their chamber so that she could gain confidence.

After she recorded her statement, the bench observed she was physically weak and could not walk as she was dragging one foot and was helped by two women police officials in walking. When a cup of tea was given to her, she could not hold it, the bench further observed.

However, the judges said, inspite of repeated breakdowns, she managed to talk to them, her lawyer and women representing NGOs.

The court ordered that Shaista should remain in Hyderabad with her parents, brothers and sister till further order. It said her parents should not force her to remarry.

It further said she should be checked up by competent doctors, led by Dr Haroon Ahmad.

The bench observed that since NGOs were taking keen interest in her rehabilitation, they should ensure steps were taken for her rehabilitation.

It said the police of the area where Shaista resided should ensure her safety and that of her family.

It said the orders passed earlier in the case should be considered as a part of this order.

The court said a copy of the order should be sent to the Sindh home secretary, inspector-general of police and advocate-general to ensure her safety.

The case will come up for hearing on Jan 21.