Pakistan 'child wedding' halted

[Nafees]

Source: BBC NEWS | South Asia | Pakistan 'child wedding' halted

By M Ilyas Khan
BBC News, Karachi

Police in southern Pakistan have arrested two people for attempting to wed a seven-year-old boy to a four-year-old girl, officials say.

It is believed to be the first time they have broken up such a marriage as the wedding was taking place.

The arrested men - the father of the groom and a cleric who performed the ceremony - say the wedding was meant to end a feud between the two families.

Child marriages are more common in remote tribal areas of Pakistan.

In the latest case, family members of the children involved argued that they wanted them to get married in advance of their real wedding which will be held when the pair reach the marriageable age of 18.

Child marriages are strictly against the law in Pakistan.

Acting on a complaint, the police raided the ceremony in a northern neighbourhood of the port city of Karachi on Thursday evening.

It is suspected that the girl was being married off by her father for about 500,000 rupees ($6,138).

'Wedding vows'

Video footage of the marriage, shot by some television teams that accompanied the police, show the two children in bride and groom ceremonial outfits.

They started crying when the police raided the scene.

Mohammad Ismail, the father of the groom, told the media that he worked in Saudi Arabia and was not aware that Pakistani laws prohibited child marriages.

He said that he had agreed to the wedding following advice from family elders that it would put an end to an old feud his family had with the family of the bride.

The cleric who was called to supervise and record the exchange of wedding vows by the couple and to record the witnesses, told the media he did not know that he was being invited to a child marriage.

However, police say they have recovered the marriage certificate from the scene which had been duly filled in by the cleric - except for the age columns for the bride and the groom.

Child marriages are often performed to settle feuds or pay off debts but the authorities say they are determined to bring them to an end.

 

[Always Neutral]

Source: BBC NEWS | South Asia | Pakistan 'child wedding' halted

By M Ilyas Khan
BBC News, Karachi

Police in southern Pakistan have arrested two people for attempting to wed a seven-year-old boy to a four-year-old girl, officials say.

It is believed to be the first time they have broken up such a marriage as the wedding was taking place.

The arrested men - the father of the groom and a cleric who performed the ceremony - say the wedding was meant to end a feud between the two families.

Child marriages are more common in remote tribal areas of Pakistan.

In the latest case, family members of the children involved argued that they wanted them to get married in advance of their real wedding which will be held when the pair reach the marriageable age of 18.

Child marriages are strictly against the law in Pakistan.

Acting on a complaint, the police raided the ceremony in a northern neighbourhood of the port city of Karachi on Thursday evening.

It is suspected that the girl was being married off by her father for about 500,000 rupees ($6,138).

'Wedding vows'

Video footage of the marriage, shot by some television teams that accompanied the police, show the two children in bride and groom ceremonial outfits.


Child marriages are often performed to settle feuds or pay off debts but the authorities say they are determined to bring them to an end.

Good job Well Done. What stupid parents.

Regards

 

[su-47]

child wedding is a problem in the subcontinent as a whole. cases like this have happened in india as well. i remember reading about a similar case in local newspapers in india last time i was there.

governments should do more to prevent these type of weddings. it is degrading to the society as a whole, and demeans our cultures in the eyes of the world. not to mention the problems that will be faced by the children.

kudos to the pakistani police for saving the life of two innocent children.

 

[nitesh]

Exactly this is a problem needs to be dealt firmly. good job done by police.

 

[s90]

WTF? - good job by police

 

[Imran Khan]

send the perants jail until kids not be adults because they are going to do same with there kids

 

[DarkStar]

I'm gonna go out on a limb on this one. What is so abhorrent about child marriage? It has been part of subcontinental culture since we know of.

If children can be "betrothed" and engaged when they are children, why not let them go through the marriage ceremony and once they attain puberty, or become young adults, let them consummate the marriage.

A majority of marriages in Pakistan are arranged anyway, so what if it is arranged in childhood and a small ceremony is held? I think the parents should be the best judge for that.

Of course I am not advocating marrying a child to an older person, or consummation of marriage before puberty. But if these two things are taken care of, whats the big deal? It's certainly better to know you are married to someone when you are 13, than to venture out and indulge in anti-moral behaviours.

 

[khanz]

I'm gonna go out on a limb on this one. What is so abhorrent about child marriage? It has been part of subcontinental culture since we know of.

If children can be "betrothed" and engaged when they are children, why not let them go through the marriage ceremony and once they attain puberty, or become young adults, let them consummate the marriage.

A majority of marriages in Pakistan are arranged anyway, so what if it is arranged in childhood and a small ceremony is held? I think the parents should be the best judge for that.

Of course I am not advocating marrying a child to an older person, or consummation of marriage before puberty. But if these two things are taken care of, whats the big deal? It's certainly better to know you are married to someone when you are 13, than to venture out and indulge in anti-moral behaviours.

Just coz it part of culture doesn't mean it's ok ! how can u say such a thing ? child marriages are wrong since they're not old enough to make their own decisions even arranged marriages i don't mind but that happens thats when their family members think they've found a respectable suitor for their son of daughter to marry it's definetly not just so the father-in-law can get payment and def should never be as young as 4 and 7 or even if they're still considered kids atleast they should be the age of puberty which atleast islamically they could be considered adults and be old enough to give consent and understand whats happening and what they're getting into !
I doubt these kids agreed to it they probably didn't even know what was going on c'mon marrying off your 4 year old daughter to settle a feud is a crappy basis for a marriage and insane period.
God forbid If it happened to me when I got old enough to understand the situation I would probably resent my marriage and my wife for the fact she'd not married me coz she loved me or even for arranged marriages reasons like agreeing to marry her family's choice of who they think best for her but only coz we'd been given away to each other as kids to settle a debt .I'd hate it and my wife would probably feel the same way.

 

[Al-zakir]

This is a exmple of a ignorant (***** ) act at it's best. This kind of news make me puke. This kind of parent need severe punishment. May be public humiliation. That will teach them a lesson and may prevent it in the future.

Police deserve a thanks for this.....good job!!!!

 

[Always Neutral]

I'm gonna go out on a limb on this one. What is so abhorrent about child marriage? It has been part of subcontinental culture since we know of.

If children can be "betrothed" and engaged when they are children, why not let them go through the marriage ceremony and once they attain puberty, or become young adults, let them consummate the marriage.

A majority of marriages in Pakistan are arranged anyway, so what if it is arranged in childhood and a small ceremony is held? I think the parents should be the best judge for that.

Of course I am not advocating marrying a child to an older person, or consummation of marriage before puberty. But if these two things are taken care of, whats the big deal? It's certainly better to know you are married to someone when you are 13, than to venture out and indulge in anti-moral behaviours.

Are you for REAL ? Don't the children have the right to grow up and decide who can be their life partners. Why not kill your children moment they are born that way they can never indulge in anti-moral behavior.

 

[DarkStar]

Are you for REAL ? Don't the children have the right to grow up and decide who can be their life partners. Why not kill your children moment they are born that way they can never indulge in anti-moral behavior.

There are plans in the UK to start teaching sex education and contraception to children as young as 5, ostensibly to cut soaring teenage pregnancy. Or even pre-teenage pregnancies among 11-12 year olds.

With this happening in modern society, people are objecting to children being assigned life partners, for their own good future? Have we forgotten, that a vast majority of parents would never make bad decisions for their children. So what if the marriage leads to peace and stability within a feuding family? What's so wrong with that?

Why are we so desperate to import every sensibility from teh morally bankrupt "west", while ignoring our own rich culture and customs, which have been practiced for millenia, when the people of europe were living like neanderthals without drains nor latrines.

All this, while the scourge of paedophilia and abuse of young girls by their own family members has reached epidemic proportions in the "civilised" west.

IN view of the above, I don't think child marriage is necessarily an evil, and can lead to a more stable and calm society. I know this view will no be popular among people who want to seek moral legitimacy through viewing themselves with the eyes of the "west".

So the saying goes. "Doosray ka munh laal dekh kar, log apna rung laal karnay kay liye apnay hi munh par thappar marna shuru kar dete hain".

 

[Always Neutral]

There are plans in the UK to start teaching sex education and contraception to children as young as 5, ostensibly to cut soaring teenage pregnancy.

PLEASE PROVIDE LINKS AND STOP MAKING UP FAIRY TALES.

Or even pre-teenage pregnancies among 11-12 year olds.

PLEASE PROVIDE THE STATISTICS OF HOW MANY GIRLS GET PREGNANT AT 11-12 IN UK. ALSO COMPARE THAT WITH OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND THEN COMMENT.

With this happening in modern society, people are objecting to children being assigned life partners, for their own good future?

GETTING PREGNANT AT A YOUNG AGE AND GETTING MARRIED AT A YOUNG AGE ARE DIFFERENT.

Have we forgotten, that a vast majority of parents would never make bad decisions for their children.

THE POINT THAT THEY WANT TO GET THEIR KID MARRIED AT 7 SHOWS HOW STUPID THESE PARENTS ARE.

So what if the marriage leads to peace and stability within a feuding family? What's so wrong with that?

PEACE CAN BE ACHIEVED BY SHAKING HANDS AND FORGIVING NOT BY RUINING THEIR CHILDRENS FUTURE.

Why are we so desperate to import every sensibility from teh morally bankrupt "west", while ignoring our own rich culture and customs,

IS THAT WHY PAKISTANIS BRAVE THE JOURNEY AT THE RISK OF THEIR LIVES TO TRAVEL TO UK AND USA ?

which have been practiced for millenia, when the people of europe were living like neanderthals without drains nor latrines.

SEE WHERE EUROPE IS AND NOW SEE WHERE U ARE ?

All this, while the scourge of paedophilia and abuse of young girls by their own family members has reached epidemic proportions in the "civilised" west.

ATLEAST IT GETS REPORTED AND PEOPLE GET PUNISHED. I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT MUST BE HAPPENING IN ASIA ?

IN view of the above, I don't think child marriage is necessarily an evil, and can lead to a more stable and calm society.

IT IS AN EVIL TO CONDEMN YOUR CHILDREN INTO SLAVERY AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE.

I know this view will no be popular among people who want to seek moral legitimacy through viewing themselves with the eyes of the "west".

IF WEST WAS SO BAD WHY LEARN ENGLISH AND HAVE A DARTH VADER ICON AND USE THE INTERNET?

So the saying goes. "Doosray ka munh laal dekh kar, log apna rung laal karnay kay liye apnay hi munh par thappar marna shuru kar dete hain".

Please do some research on child marriages etc before comming up with West is bad crap.

Regards

 

[DarkStar]

what sort of research do you suggest? Do they run a website for child matrimony?

here's the evidence you wanted about 5 year olds getting sex education in the UK.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/24/2399957.htm

It seems you don't watch the news, as it was everywhere a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Always Neutral]

what sort of research do you suggest? Do they run a website for child matrimony?

Guess you are happy to live in ignorance. Still waiting for the weblink where it states that 5 years old in UK are going to be given sex education lessons.

Regards

 

[DarkStar]

Girl, 11, will be Britain's youngest mother | Mail Online

A girl is to become Britain's youngest mother after becoming pregnant at 11.
The girl smokes 20 cigarettes a day despite being eight months' pregnant. She conceived aged 11 when she lost her virginity to a boy of 15 on a drunken night out with friends.
The 15-year-old has since been charged with rape by police, and is due to appear again at Edinburgh sheriff court on July 10.
Her 34-year-old mother, who gave birth to her youngest child eight months ago, said she was 'proud' of her daughter.
She will be 12 years and 8 months when she has the child next month. Jenny Teague, Britain's youngest mother until now, was a month older when she gave birth in 1997.
How can we best tackle this problem? Tell us in reader comments below
The youngster, who lives near Edinburgh, says looking after her younger brothers has prepared her for motherhood.
But the girl admits she "panics and cries" when babies are unwell and does not feel able to bathe them.
The mother-to-be, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had unprotected sex with the teenage boy, who also cannot be identified, while drunk last August.
'Excited'
She told the Sun: "I didn't think I'd get pregnant because it was my first time. But I'm really excited and looking forward to being a mum.
"I can't wait to take the baby swimming and out for walks in the pram. I think I'll be able to cope as I've had lots of practice looking after my brothers.
"I know how to feed a baby its bottle and I can change nappies. But I panic and cry if they're sick and I don't like giving them a bath because I'm a bit frightened.
"It's good to know I'll have my mum here to help me if I need her."
Concerned she might be pregnant, the girl visited a GP three times but tests proved negative. She learned the truth after buying a home-testing kit from a supermarket.
After the device displayed two blue lines, indicating she was pregnant, she pleaded with a female relative to break the news to her mother. The girl, who has been suspended from her first year of secondary school for fighting, said: "I was paranoid about what my mum was going to say and just frightened about being pregnant too.
"I knew straight away that I couldn't have an abortion because that's something I don't believe in.
"I was upset and so was my mum, especially as she'd just had my wee brother. We had a big argument and I ended up locking myself in my room and running away to a friend's.
"It was really hard but it's brought me and my mum closer, which is good. I knew my mum would stand by me no matter what, but I told her straight away I was going to keep the baby.
"The social worker suggested I got rid of it but I'd never do that."
Smoking at nine
The girl, who has shoulder-length dark hair, began smoking at nine and started drinking tonic wine and vodka cocktails at ten. She claimed her cigarette habit was not harming the health of her unborn child.
She said: "I can give up smoking at any time, but I don't find it affects my pregnancy."
The girl, whose parents split up several years ago, said she would like a baby boy - and may call him Leo.
She is currently being educated at a local community centre but knows she must return to school.
She told the Sun: "My mum has said she will look after the baby so I can go to school. I don't know what I want to do with my life when I leave. I used to want to be a nursery nurse, but now I'm not so sure."
'Proud of my daughter'
Her mum said: "I'm not ashamed of my daughter at all - in fact, I'm proud of her for keeping the baby.
"I know she's worried what other people will say but she can walk out there with her head held high.
"At first I wasn't too happy about becoming a gran. But now I'm used to the idea. I'm really looking forward to having another baby in the house."
The Scottish Conservatives has called for society and families to unite to change attitudes towards sex following the news.