Nazia and Shahid from Goth Balochabad in Ghotki district, which is notorious for honour-killings, have been in hiding and in search of shelter after Nazia’s father declared the couple karo-kari. “I am 18 and by law I have the right of vote to select a government, but I still don’t have the right to select my jeevan saathi (life partner),” Nazia told this scribe in an exclusive interview.
Though she was forced to flee her father’s house, she is still happy. “I know Shahid loves me and I’ll be happy with him,” she said with poise.
Nazia and Shahid got married some five months ago, but since Nazia’s father has declared them karo-kari, the couple is on the run and looking for shelter. “With the help of the influential men of our village, my father stole the standing wheat crop of Shahid’s family,” Nazia said.
She demanded the government authorities, the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Asian Human Rights Commission for providing them with shelter before they are killed. She also demanded compensation for her in-laws’ loss. When Nazia met her cousin Shahid for the first time, she fell in love with him instantly and decided that he is the man she wants to marry. Three months ago, 18-year-old Nazia silently left her village and came to Karachi to get married to Shahid, following which her father Ghulam Rasool declared the couple as karo-kari and announced setting them on fire wherever they are found.
“My father has filed around a dozen fake complaints against my husband and now the police are searching for us,” Nazia said. Police have filed a case regarding Nazia’s alleged abduction against 11 members of Shahid’s family, which includes a five-year-old.
