Police Investigate Controversial Marriage of 16-Year-Old to 70-Year-Old Man in Swat

SHO of Ghaleegay police station, Roshan Khan, clarified discrepancies in age records and dowry details, awaiting the public prosecutor's advice before taking further action.

In the Nagoha area of Tehsil Barikot, Swat, a 70-year-old man's marriage to a 16-year-old girl has sparked controversy and prompted a police inquiry.

Inquiry Officer Lal Badshah informed TNN that a medical examination revealed the girl's age to be between 16 to 17 years. She is a 6th-grade dropout. The girl confessed that the marriage occurred against her will, refuting claims of a Rs 10 lakh dowry.

SHO of Ghaleegay police station, Roshan Khan, clarified discrepancies in age records and dowry details, awaiting the public prosecutor's advice before taking further action.

Tabassum Adnan, Women's Jirga head in Swat, condemned the marriage, fearing societal repercussions and advocating for legal action against human trafficking. Adnan emphasized the importance of genuine consent in marriages, citing cases of coerced consent leading to dire consequences for young brides.

Umar Farooq Papa, a legal expert from the Swat Bar Association, highlighted child marriage as a serious concern, stressing the need for enforcement of laws against underage marriages. He mentioned that while the legal age of consent may vary in different regions, underage marriages are still illegal under Pakistani law.