Dua Zahra case wraps up; teen ‘finally going home’
After a protracted legal struggle over her supposed marriage, a young girl from Karachi “unequivocally” informed a Sindh High Court (SHC) bench on Friday that she desired to return to her parents, her father’s attorney confirmed.
To marry a man named Zaheer, the girl had travelled from Karachi to Lahore. Syed Mehdi Kazmi, her father, contested the marriage under the Child Marriage Act.
In court, Kazmi had argued that the girl was 14 when she was “abducted”. The SHC eventually issued a written order in the case, noting that no proof of the girl’s kidnapping had been found.
“I got married of my own free will. No one kidnapped me; I want to go with my husband Zaheer and do not wish to see my parents,” the teenager had revealed in a statement recorded under oath before the SHC.
According to a special medical board appointed by the court, the girl is between the ages of 15 and 16 years old, but probably closer to 15. This supports her father’s claims that she was young when she was married and that she was forced into it.
Jibran Nasir, the attorney for Kazmi, declared on Twitter today that “after a 7-month battle today the victim child is finally going home.”
“There are many lessons to be learned from this case & reforms are needed to curb child marriages,” Nasir added.
#StateVsZaheerAhmed
Alhumdulillah after 7 month long battle today victim child is finally going home. She unequivocally informed Hon' High Court that she wants to reside with parents. There are many lessons to be learnt from this case & reforms are needed to curb child marriages— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) January 6, 2023
The lawyer also expressed his gratitude towards the team of lawyers for “providing their services pro bono to ensure the safe recovery and return of the child for the sake of justice”.
