CHITRAL: The Mingora circuit bench of the Peshawar High Court has set aside the order of Upper Chitral deputy commissioner to stop the solemnisation of marriage of a boy from Nowshera with a girl in Werkup village of Torkhow tehsil last month.

“For reasons to be recorded later, the instant writ petition is allowed to the effect that impugned letter of DC Upper Chitral dated 14/10/2021 is declared to be made without lawful authority and hence of no legal effect.”

“Respondents are further restrained from interference or creating any sort of hindrance in the marriage ceremony,” read the interim relief order signed by Justice Wiqar Ahmed.

In his petition, Zulfiqarul Mulk from Nowshera, who is also the district education officer, Upper Chitral, had prayed that after fulfillment of formalities, including the verification of character and conduct of his son, 17, by the district police officer of his district (Nowshera), the no-objection certificate (NOC) was issued from the office of the Upper Chitral deputy commissioner for his son’s marriage.

He complained that the DC cancelled the NOC at the eleventh hour when the prospective bridegroom had reached Booni town and the preparations of the marriage ceremony had been completed and even guests had arrived.

The respondents were represented by additional advocate general Razauddin Khan, while Suleman Khan Advocate appeared for the petitioner.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2021