PESHAWAR, June 6: A local court on Wednesday dismissed bail petition of a person charged with marrying a minor girl by paying bride money to her uncle and keeping her chained his residence for many months.

The court of judicial magistrate Zafarullah Khan pronounced that keeping in view the available evidence on record the petitioner, Zarmeen shah, did not deserve to be set free on bail.

On the order of the court the alleged victim, 13-year-old Ramsha, has presently been residing at the Women Crisis Centre. She was recovered last month from residence of the petitioner by the local police.

An FIR was registered against the accused at Daudzai police station on May 24 under several sections of Pakistan Penal Code including section 366-A (procuring of minor girl for illicit intercourse), Section 375 and 376 (rape with a girl under 16), 343 and 344 (illegal confinement).

The alleged victim was carrying marks on her ankles as she was constantly chained during last many months.

The girl had informed police after her recovery that she was residing with her parents in Islamabad where her father was a driver.—Bureau Report

Opinion

Editorial

Collective security
Updated 12 Mar, 2026

Collective security

Regional states need to sit down and talk. They must also pledge and work towards collective security.
Spectrum leap
12 Mar, 2026

Spectrum leap

THE sale of 480 MHz of fifth-generation telecom spectrum for $507m is a major milestone in Pakistan’s digital...
Toxic fallout
12 Mar, 2026

Toxic fallout

WARS can leave environmental scars that remain long after the fighting is over. The strikes on Iran’s oil...
Token austerity
Updated 11 Mar, 2026

Token austerity

The ‘austerity’ measures are a ritualistic response to public anger rather than a sincere attempt to reform state spending.
Lebanon on fire
11 Mar, 2026

Lebanon on fire

WHILE the entire Gulf region has become an active warzone, repercussions of this conflict have spread to the...
Canine crisis
11 Mar, 2026

Canine crisis

KARACHI’S stray dog crisis requires urgent attention. Feral canines can cause serious and lasting physical and...