KARACHI, Sept 19: Various non-governmental organizations working for human rights have demanded of the government that safety of a couple, who have married on their own and are allegedly being threatened by the girl’s tribe, be ensured.

The NGOs, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Women’s Action Forum and the Aurat Foundation, in a joint statement said that Shaista Almani and Alamgir Mahar, residents of Pano Aqil, near Sukkur, got married in June 2003, against the will of the elders of the Almani tribe, who were opposed to the idea of their tribe girl marrying outside the clan.

The NGO representatives said that the tribesmen had declared Shaista a kari, woman accused of committing adultery.

They said that the couple, in a bid to save their lives, fled from their town and came to Karachi a few days back, while, in the meantime, an FIR had been registered against the couple and Sukkur police had come to the city to arrest them on Thursday evening.

The couple sought help from Madadgar 15, which arrived immediately.

Preedy DSP Aijaz Hashmi said that soon after getting the information, the police reached the Mayfair Centre in Saddar, and after hearing the story, the couple was taken in to protective custody and kept at the Preedy Police Station.

He said that the couple was taken to the court of a magistrate on Friday morning, which sent the girl to the Darul Aman.

The NGOs have urged the government to take steps to ensure the safety of the couple.