CHARSADDA, June 10: A 15-year-old girl kidnapped by a prayer leader from Dera Ismail Khan met her parents here on Tuesday after 13 years owing to the efforts of elders of the area.

The prayer leader, an Afghan national identified as Faqir Mohammad had kidnapped three years old Shamaila in 1996 and shifted her to Umerzai area of Charsadda district. He used to tell the local people that he had migrated from Afghanistan after all of his family members were killed in the war except his only daughter Shamaila.

After changing different mosques in the area he shifted to Hameed Mian Dheri. When Shamaila became 15 people began coming to his home for her hand.

The prayer leader wanted a huge amount or a girl in return. But one of his friends revealed the whole story to the elders of the area.

The elders including Muqim Bacha, Munir Bacha, Khadim and Pervez Khan Umarzai interrogated the mullah. After his confession they approached the parents of the girl in Dera Ismail Khan but they were afraid of coming to Charsadda. However, after contacting Faisal Kundi, the deputy speaker of National Assembly, the girl’s parents and relatives became ready to visit Charsadda.

The local elders handed over Shamaila to her parents amid moving scenes here. Seeing their daughter after 13 years, her parents were unable to control their tears. They thanked the elders of the area and forgive Mullah Faqir.