ISLAMABAD: A newlywed woman living in a slum area of Islamabad has approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking state protection from the decision of a panchayat against her marriage.

The woman, a resident of a katchi abadi in I-10, in her petition cited the interior secretary, the inspector general Islamabad police and the station house officer (SHO) of Sabzi Mandi as respondents.

The petitioner contended that she willingly married a man but her relatives and the panchayat not only disapproved of the marriage but also threatened her of dire consequences.

The petitioner said she had also recorded a statement before a magistrate admitting that she willingly married her husband but her relatives were forcing her to get divorce.

According to her, the police in connivance with her relatives were also forcing her to quit the marriage and return to her home.

She requested the court to direct the authorities to provide protection to her as well as her husband.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2020