Feudal lord gives two sisters in 'vani' as punishment for uncle’s love marriage

A feudal landlord in Thatta ordered to hand over two minor girls as punishment for their uncle's marriage of choice, it emerged on Monday.

The girls, who are the residents of Amri village, approached the session court along with their mother after the decision.

The court ordered their protection and directed the authorities to take action under the Child Marriage Act and submit a report.

According to reports, the girls' uncle, Mumtaz Mirjat, had arranged a marriage of choice, after which the influential figures decided to marry off the two girls to the brothers of Mirjat's wife.

In their statement before the court, the girls stated that they are still pursuing their education and have no connection with the matter.

This incident highlights a pervasive problem in rural areas, where powerful individuals or jirgas (assemblies of elders) often make decisions that disregard the rights and well-being of women and young girls.

Women, who are not party in a dispute, have to suffer rape, forced marriage as compensation for a male relative's crime, which violates the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution.

In 2019, Pakistan's Supreme Court declared jirgas unconstitutional and their rulings illegal, also stating that no individual or group can act as a legal court or issue punishments.