Lahore police foiled the rukhsati ceremony of a 13-year-old girl after an immediate response to a call made to the police emergency helpline 15. According to Lahore police, the groom and five other people were arrested during the operation.
Nikah date and pending investigation in Lahore case
According to preliminary investigations, the girl’s nikah, or marriage contract, was solemnised on October 4. Her rukhsati ceremony was scheduled for November 8, police said.
A case has been registered against those arrested, and further investigation is underway. Police in the Liaquat Abad area carried out the operation.
Earlier Dadu raid over underage marriage in May
Earlier, in May, Dadu police foiled an underage marriage and arrested the bridegroom and his father. Police said they received a report about the marriage of a 12-year-old girl within the limits of the A-Section police station in Dadu.
Officials said a police party led by SHO Liaquat Ali Sarki carried out a raid and took the underage bride into custody. Police also detained the bridegroom, Raja Panhwar, and his father, Niaz Panhwar.
A case was registered under the Child Marriage Act against the bridegroom, the nikahkhwan, and the parents of the bride and groom, police said.
Child marriage rules and wider concerns in Pakistan
Underage marriage is prohibited under the law, yet child marriages remain common in several parts of Pakistan. According to a news report, the country is among those with the highest number of girls married before the age of 18.
