CHITRAL: Upper Chitral deputy commissioner Mohammad Ali foiled an attempt of marrying a minor girl to a boy from Nowshera in Torkhow tehsil here on Friday.

A local resident told Dawn on phone that the prospective bridegroom was the son of Zulfiqarul Mulk, the Chitral district education officer (male). He claimed the officer had arranged the marriage.

He said the DC took prompt action on the complaint of the bride about being underage for marriage. He said Mr Ali summoned the girl’s father, who confirmed she was under-age for marriage.

The resident said the process of the girl’s marriage was stopped when the DC warned that he would arrest him, (the girl’s father), the Nikah Khawan and the witness under the Child Marriage Restraint Act if the wedding went ahead.

The local said all arrangements for departure (rukhsati) of the bride had been completed and the bridegroom had also reached the main Booni town, a day earlier along with his family.

When contacted, Mr Ali confirmed the underage girl was being married to a boy from Nowshera who was also underage.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

X post facto
19 Apr, 2024

X post facto

AS has become its modus operandi, the state is using smoke and mirrors to try to justify its decision to ban X,...
Insufficient inquiry
19 Apr, 2024

Insufficient inquiry

UNLESS the state is honest about the mistakes its functionaries have made, we will be doomed to repeat our follies....
Melting glaciers
19 Apr, 2024

Melting glaciers

AFTER several rain-related deaths in KP in recent days, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority has sprung into...
IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...