PESHAWAR, July 11: The Peshawar High Court, in a petition filed by the British High Commission, directed Mardan District Police on Thursday to produce a British girl of Pakistani origin before the court on July 16.

Commission Vice-chancellor Mark Kattle filed the petition after the girl had written a letter from Mardan to her teacher in Bradford, who informed the commission, stating that her parents were planning to arrange her marriage against her free will.

Supreme Court Advocate Raja Shafqat Abbassi appeared on behalf of the petitioner before a division bench, comprising Justice Nasirul Mulk and Justice Tallat Qayyum Qureshi, and contended that the girl was a sui juris and freedom of will was her legal right.  

He requested the court to issue orders for the production of the girl so as to record her statement.

The bench issued notice to Mardan District Police Officer (DPO) and station house officer (SHO) of Sheikh Maltoon Police Station directing them to positively produce the girl on July 16. The court also directed that safety of the girl should be ensured.

The petitioner stated that the girl was about 18 and a major (a person of full legal age).

The petitioner’s counsel claimed that the she had been brought to Pakistan few weeks ago by her parents. They were trying to marry their daughter without her consent when the girl reportedly sent the letter to the teacher and narrated her ordeal requesting him to inform the British Government so that she could be rescued.

The teacher had communicated the message to the Foreign Commonwealth Office which in turn informed the British High Commission in Islamabad about the issue, he added.  

The girl had also told the teacher that she did not want to live in Pakistan, and that arrangements should be made for her return.

The counsel contended that the British High Commission was greatly concerned about the well-being of its nationals. If it was proved after her statement that the girl had been kept here against her will, she should be allowed to live in a country of her choice.