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