Dua Zehra, the teenage girl who left home and married in Punjab two years ago, recently made headlines again as a family court granted her permanent custody to her parents. Dua’s father, Mehdi Kazmi, had sought custody after claiming his daughter was abducted.

The court decided that Dua Zehra would remain with her parents until she reaches adulthood, emphasizing that the decision was made in her best interest based on her well-being and the commitment of her biological parents to her safety. The court ordered both parents to provide a personal surety bond of Rs2 lac and ensure Dua’s basic needs, including education and nourishment.

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Dua Zehra must attend court when summoned, as she has expressed a wish to live with her parents. The court recognized the efforts made by her parents to ensure her safety. Previously, the Sindh High Court had granted temporary custody to her parents. Mehdi Kazmi had reported Dua missing on April 16, 2022, when she was 13, and later learned through news reports that Zaheer Ahmed had allegedly married her, falsely claiming she was 18.