UMERKOT: Activists of civil society held a rally on Wednesday against attempts to spoil the case of sale of underage girls into marriage and get the accused released after changing the statements of eyewitnesses.

The rally was taken out from Thar Bazaar to the press club against sale and marriage of a minor girl, Ameena Mangrio. Reportedly, the eyewitnesses are being pressurised to change statements.

Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) women wing president Gulzar Kunbhar appealed to Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to follow the mission of Benazir Bhutto who was the first woman to empower women and bring them into assemblies. Therefore, it was time for him to protect girls from sale into marriage in Mirpurkhas division, she said.

Noor Jehan Gehlro regretted that girls whose age was fit only to play with dolls were sold in the name of marriage at an early age of 4 to 14 years.

She said that greedy parents prayed for a daughter so that they could sell her and earn a hefty amount.

The complainant in the case, Abdul Karim, said it was the responsibility of the state to register a case against culprits involved in the sale and marriage of girls.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2015