PESHAWAR, July 31: The Peshawar High Court on Tuesday directed a runaway Afghan couple and the woman’s alleged first husband to approach the family court for settling the dispute whether the woman was previously married or not.

A two-member bench comprising PHC Chief Justice Dost Mohammad Khan and Justice Roohul Amin ordered that after the two sides approach the court, the Peshawar district and sessions judge should entrust the case to a family judge, who should hear the case on day-to-day basis and decide it within 40 days.

The bench disposed of the case pending before it directing, Abdur Rehman, the alleged first husband of the woman, to file suit for restitution of conjugal rights. The court also directed the couple -- Hewad and Moluda alias Mariam -- to file case of jactitation of marriage and the family court would decide both the issues.

Family members of the woman claimed that she was already married to Abdur Rehman, whereas she and Hewad refuted the claim, saying her family members were forcing her to marry Mr Rehman due to which they decided to leave Afghanistan.

The bench directed Peshawar District Coordination Officer Javed Marwat to provide shelter to the couple at state expenses at Women Crisis Centre or any other suitable place. The court also ordered that Peshawar capital city police chief should depute policemen at the crisis centre as the couple had claimed that it was facing threats from the woman’s family.

PHC Chief Justice Dost Mohammad Khan had taken suo motu notice of the issue after the couple was arrested by police in Abbottabad few days ago on the complaint of Mohammad Ishaq, who claimed to be brother-in-law of the woman. — Bureau Report