A case has been registered at the Phagla Border Military Police (BMP) Station in the Koh-e-Sulaiman area against four individuals, including the father and stepmother of an 11-year-old girl, for forcing her into marriage with an 80-year-old man in exchange for Rs1.5 million.
FIR Registered Under Child Marriage Act
According to police officials, the First Information Report (FIR) was lodged under Sections 4, 5, and 7 of the Child Marriage Act 2026 on the complaint of the girl's mother, Khani Mai. The nominated suspects are Hameed (the father), his wife Samina (the stepmother), Mewa Khan, and the alleged groom, Mithha.
In her application, the complainant alleged that her daughter Anila's father Hameed and stepmother Samina colluded to forcibly marry her off to Mithha, an 80-year-old man, in return for Rs1.5 million. Mewa Khan is accused of solemnizing the nikah ceremony, after which the child was forcibly sent with the groom.
Legal Implications and Social Impact
The Child Marriage Act 2026 prohibits marriage of individuals under 18 years of age and prescribes strict penalties for violators. The registration of this case highlights ongoing concerns about child marriage in rural areas of Pakistan, where poverty and lack of awareness often drive such practices. Police have initiated an investigation, and further arrests are expected as the case proceeds.
Local human rights activists have condemned the incident, calling for swift legal action to protect children's rights. The girl's mother, Khani Mai, has appealed for justice, stating that her daughter's future has been compromised by the greed of her father and stepmother.
