The police in northern Pakistan has arrested six people, including an imam, on charges of contracting four underage children to get married in order to settle a family feud. The decision to engage the four children was made under a local ritual called “vani” or “swara,” which is banned under Pakistani law. It entails forcing women and girls under the age of consent into marriage to settle family feuds. The police needs to step up and stop these incidents as these acts have alarmingly increased in the rural areas.
One cannot take the credit away from the police officers who acted promptly during this case.
KHURRAM SALEEM
Islamabad
