Attock police rescue minor girl sold into marriage for Rs50,000

Police in Attock rescued a 12-year-old girl who was allegedly sold into marriage by her stepfather to a 60-year-old man in exchange for Rs50,000. Swift police action led to the arrest of key suspects involved in the illegal arrangement.

The main suspect, identified as Tayyab Ali, married off his stepdaughter to an elderly TB patient and donkey cart driver through a village numbardar. The marriage reportedly took place in Khagwani village, Hazro Town.

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Following the incident, police registered an a  First Information Report (FIR) against nine individuals under Sections 4 and 5 of the Punjab Marriage Restraint Act.

The arrested suspects include the bride’s stepfather and the groom, Naeem, while the girl’s mother, the numbardar, the groom’s siblings, and the nikah registrar are also facing legal action.

The marriage registrar, Iftikhar Shah Matho, reportedly fled, and efforts are underway to apprehend him.

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Authorities were alerted when the minor’s brother informed police about the forced marriage.

A raid was conducted, during which officials confirmed the girl's age through her B-Form and safely rescued her. The victim later testified that she was forcibly married off.

A police spokesperson confirmed that further investigations are in progress.