October 23, 2007	Tuesday	Shawwal 10, 1428

LAHORE, Oct 22: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday set free a United States national girl of Pakistani origin who denied marriage with her cousin and insisted to go with another man whom she claimed she married by choice.

Asmat Zahra, 28, who was produced before the court from Darul Aman, was allegedly married to her cousin Qasim but just three days after she married Shahid by choice claiming that she was coerced to contract her previous marriage.

She said that father of her first ‘husband’ lodged an FIR against her husband Shahid who was arrested and sent to jail.

She said she also gave her testimony before the judicial magistrate that no one had kidnapped her and that she contracted marriage with Shahid out of her free will and consent. But, she said, the magistrate sent her to Darul Aman after recording her statement.

The investigation officer reported to the court that both marriage certificates (nikha namas) had been found correct.

Asmat stated before the court that she was sane and highly educated girl and fully knew the ups and downs of the life. She said she was legally married to Shahid and not to her cousin Qasim.

The girl’s father said Shahid was a greedy man and trapped her daughter only to get her wealth. He alleged that Shahid was also intimidating him.

The court, however, did not touch upon merits of the case in connection with authenticity of either marriage and in its verdict confined itself only to ordering the release of the girl. — APP