In Punjab’s capital, Lahore, police intervened to stop the marriage of a 12-year-old girl to a foreign national and subsequently arrested her parents and the officiating cleric, or nikahkhawan. This action was initiated by the Virtual Women Police Station after receiving a tip-off about the underage girl’s forced marriage.

According to reports, the girl’s parents were arranging her marriage to the foreign national, whose identity has not been disclosed, motivated by financial gain. Neighbors of the victim alerted the women police station about the impending marriage, prompting police intervention.

Read more: 522 Women, Girls Sexually Assaulted in 2023 in Karachi

A spokesperson for the Safe Cities project emphasized that women can contact the Virtual Women Police Station at any time by calling 15, ensuring a prompt response to such incidents.