June 13, 2006	Tuesday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 16, 1427

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PESHAWAR, June 12: The handing over of an 11-year-old girl to a rival family in swara was challenged in Peshawar High Court on Monday.

A writ petition was filed by two sisters, Sanad Bibi (11) and Shah Izzat Bibi (9), praying the court that a jirga decision in Barawal Banda in Upper Dir regarding handing over one of them to the rival family in swara be declared as illegal and unconstitutional.

They requested the court to stay the jirga decision till final disposal of the writ petition.

They have further prayed that an FIR should be registered against the jirga members and other concerned persons as such decisions were cognisable offence.

The petition was filed through advocate Iqbal Mohmand stating that the jirga had taken the controversial decision on Feb 5, 2006.

According to facts of the case, a girl named Fouzia d/o Qasim Jan of Takhtbhai (Mardan) was allegedly engaged to Jalat Khan brother of Sangeen of Shaheed Kaley (Charssada). About six months ago the girl got married to brother of Taza Neen, resident of Barawal Banda.

Following that marriage, the family of Jalat Khan including his brother Sangeen raised the issue that the girl was engaged to his brother and the family of Taza Neen had committed a blunder. Later on, it was decided that the issue would be resolved through a jirga.