• SHC handed over custody of minor girl to her parents
• Dua Zehra told the court she want to go with her parents
• The girl went missing in April last year and claimed to have married Zaheer

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday ordered to hand over the custody of teenage girl Dua Zehra to her parents.

The 14-year-old girl reportedly went missing from Karachi on April 16, 2022, but claimed to have left home to marry 21-year-old Zaheer Ahmed in Lahore.

Her father Mehdi Kazmi had filed a case for the girl’s return and challenged the nuptials under the Child Marriage Act. He had contended in court that the girl was 14 years old.

The court had ordered forming a special medical board to determine the girl’s age. The board submitted its report claiming the girl was aged closer to 15 years, giving support to the contention that she was underage.

During the hearing on Friday, Justice Iqbal Kalhoro heard the case during which the minor girl was also presented before the court.

Justice Kalhoro asked the girl whether she wants to stay at the shelter home or with her parents. The girl replied that she wants to go to her parent’s house and stay with them.

The court then asked the parents to submit a bond of Rs1 million and granted them interim custody. The permanent custody of the girl will be decided by the trial court.

The judged said that a child protection officer along with female police officer would visit the girl every week and submit a report to the court. He ordered that the girl would not be allowed to leave Pakistan until the case was decided.

Zaheer’s lawyer argued that the petition was inadmissible. He argued the girl was kept in a shelter home on the court’s order. He said that Zaheer should be allowed to visit the girl.

#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

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— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) January 6, 2023

Lawyer Jibran Nasir, who represented the girl’s father, welcomed the decision and said that the child was finally going home after a seven-month-long battle.

In a statement on Twitter, Jibran said there are many lessons to be learnt from this case and reforms are needed to curb child marriages.

He thanked the team of lawyers for providing their services to ensure the safe recovery and return of the child for the sake of justice.

Speaking to media after being granted custody, Mehdi Kazmi expressed gratitude for the return of his daughter. He thanked all the lawyers who filed cases and appeals in the case. He assured to provide the best care for his daughter and said she will return to school soon.

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