Police in Naushahro Feroze stopped an underage marriage after raiding a house in Kore-Ja-Bhan village. Several people attending the ceremony were detained, including the Nikahkhwan and relatives of the bride.
According to police officials, they received information about an underage marriage taking place in the village. Officers immediately carried out a raid at the house where the marriage ceremony was being held.
Police said the nikah of the underage girl was allegedly being arranged against her will. The raid stopped the ceremony before it could be completed.
Authorities detained several people present at the event. Those taken into custody included the Nikahkhwan, family members of the bride, and other attendees. However, the would-be groom, identified as Abdul Ghafoor Solangi, managed to escape before police arrived.
Police have launched raids to arrest the suspect. Officials said efforts are continuing to locate and detain him.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about underage marriage in different parts of Pakistan despite existing laws that prohibit child marriages.
This is not the first such case reported in Sindh. Earlier in May, police in Dadu also prevented the marriage of a 12-year-old girl after receiving information about the planned ceremony.
According to police, the incident took place within the limits of the A-Section Police Station in Dadu. A police team led by Station House Officer (SHO) Liaquat Ali Sarki conducted a raid and safely took the underage girl into protective custody.
During that operation, police arrested the groom, Raja Panhwar, along with his father, Niaz Panhwar. Authorities also registered a case under the Child Marriage Act.
The FIR included charges against the groom, the Nikahkhwan, and the parents of both the bride and groom for their alleged involvement in arranging the illegal marriage.
Child marriage remains prohibited under Pakistani law. However, such incidents continue to be reported from different regions of the country.
Legal experts say the Child Marriage Act aims to protect children from early marriages and their harmful social and health impacts. Law enforcement agencies are responsible for taking action whenever violations are reported.
Police officials have urged citizens to report any planned underage marriage to the relevant authorities. Early reporting allows law enforcement to intervene before the marriage takes place and helps protect children from illegal practices.
Rights groups have repeatedly called for stronger enforcement of child protection laws. They say greater public awareness and stricter implementation of existing legislation are needed to reduce such incidents.
Pakistan continues to face challenges in eliminating child marriages. Various reports have noted that the country remains among those with a high number of girls married before the age of 18.
In other news read more about Balochistan Assembly Bans Underage Marriage In Province
Authorities say they will continue taking legal action against anyone involved in arranging or facilitating an underage marriage. Officials have also appealed to communities to support efforts aimed at protecting children’s rights and ensuring compliance with the law.
