In Pakistan, child marriages are officially banned, yet such incidents persist within various communities.
A 70-year-old man was married to a 13-year-old girl in Nagoha in Tehsil Barikot, District Swat. The event has led to the arrest of both the elderly groom and the girl’s father, who now face charges under the Child Protection Act.
The authorities initiated an investigation following the release of a marriage certificate, which included the names of two witnesses and listed a significant dowry, a plot valued at approximately 10 million PKR given to the girl’s parents. Police investigations are ongoing, with plans to arrest the officiant and witnesses involved in the ceremony.
In this case, the minor, currently enrolled in the sixth grade, expressed her distress over the situation. She reportedly retreated to her room in tears after receiving congratulations from locals, unaware of the marriage arrangement. Her resistance to the marriage was later voiced clearly, stating her refusal to marry at such a young age.
Human rights advocates have stepped in, preventing the completion of the marriage rites and highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of child protection laws. The elderly man, who has a large family with eight children and grandchildren, was presented alongside the girl’s father to the media, illustrating the gravity of the situation.
DSP Hassan Sher of Barikot disclosed plans to present the girl to a medical board to ascertain her exact age, which will further determine the legal proceedings. Suppose it is found that she is below the age of 16 and the marriage was conducted without her consent. In that case, additional charges may be brought against all parties involved, including the parents, the husband, and the officiants. This case underscores the ongoing challenges and the critical need for comprehensive measures to combat child marriage in Pakistan.
