KARACHI, Jan 19: Chief Justice Saiyed Saeed Ashhad of the Sindh High Court, on Monday, transferred the Shaista Almani case for hearing at the court's principal seat in Karachi.

Allowing an application moved by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, the Women's Action Forum and the Aurat Foundation, the chief justice asked the office to have the entire case record transferred from the SHC Sukkur bench to Karachi.

The applicants expressed their concern at the threats to the security and safety of Shaista and certain members of her family for her free-will marriage with Balakh Sher Mahar on June 1, 2003. Mahar later divorced her under pressure from his tribe.

The petition sought an injunction against holding of a tribal jirga to decide the fate of the couple as illegal and unconstitutional. The petitioners said that a tribal jirga was being threatened to be convened to declare the couple 'karo kari' and order their murders. The transfer order also referred to a statement recorded by the Sukkur additional advocate-general that the State had no objection to the transfer of the case.

Earlier, the Sukkur bench had allowed an application for treatment and rehabilitation of Shaista Almani at Karachi. Proper security arrangements were ordered to be made for her and her relatives in Karachi. The provincial government has since provided employment to Shaista and her sister and allowed them to remain on leave for the time being.

The Sukkur bench was to resume hearing of the petition on Jan 21, however, after the transfer of case now a new date will be fixed for proceedings at the principal seat.