May 05, 2008	Monday	Rabi-us-Sani 28, 1429

TOBA TEK SINGH, May 4: Police have arrested seven people for arranging the marriage of an eight-year-old girl with a 35-year-old man for the crime of the girl’s uncle who reportedly eloped with a woman.

Kamalia Sadar police registered a case under section 365-A on Sunday against the seven people.

Ten days ago, Falak Sher, of Chak 724-GB, married Nasim Bibi, daughter of Liaqat Ali, of Chak 725-GB, against the will of Nasim’s family.

A panchayat or village council, allegedly consisting of Nazir, Zahoor, Yaqub and Yousaf, decided that eight-year-old Rehana Perveen, niece of Falak Sher, would be married to Saleem, brother of Nasim.The punchayat decided the young ‘bride’ would stay for one hour with her ‘groom’ at the nikah night and a proper leave-taking would be held when she attained adulthood. If her parents refused to send the girl to Saleem’s house, they would have to pay a Rs500,000 fine, the council said.

The decision was implemented on May 2, and after nikah Rehana was forcibly sent to Saleem’s house for one-hour stay. Witnesses said the ‘bride’ remained at Saleem’s house for four hours.

Rehana told reporters she was never agreed to nikah and was forcibly married to the accused.Her mother said her family had nothing to do with her brother-in-law’s act but armed men from the family of Nasim threatened her and her husband of consequences if they refused to accept the punchayat’s decision.

Village lumberdar Muhammad Sadiq said he was also a part of the panchayat. When he saw the panchayat was set to use the minor girl as bargaining chip, he pulled out of the panchayat.