IHC allows Ghotki sisters to stay with their husbands

ISLAMABAD: Newly-converted Muslim sisters from Ghotki were allowed to stay with their husbands, as the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday declared that the conversion of religion by two Hindu girls, Aasia and Nadia was rightful.

An IHC bench, headed by Chief Justice Athar Minallah, on Thursday resumed hearing into the plea filed by husbands of Ghotki girls seeking protection. The court has declared the conversion of girls as lawful, allowed the girls to stay with their husbands and ordered interior secretary to ensure security of sisters and their husbands.

Last month two newly-converted Muslim girls from Daharki in Ghotki, Sindh, had approached the Islamabad High Court seeking protection from government, police and their family who were forcing them to return to the Hindu religion.

The five-member commission report, which was presented in the IHC, states that no clue was found about forced conversion of both girls. It also stated that the girls decided to change their religion on their free will.

The medical report prepared and submitted by the Pakistan Institute of Medical

Sciences (Pims) states that the girls were not minors at the time of their marriage to the Muslim men. “Both girls are 18 and 19 years old respectively,” the medical report revealed.

During the hearing, the interior secretary told the court that these cases are common in Ghotki. “We are also willing to present a final report to the court.”

Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the court has observed sensitivity of the case. “We want to know more regarding the steps taken for the implementation of directives given by the Supreme Court.” Justice Minallah further remarked that protection of minorities’ rights shouldn’t be only in words it should be visible. “Minorities are secured in Pakistan,” he added.

Commission member I A Rehman stated before the court that there is need of check and balance by higher authorities on the conversion of religion in Ghotki. He said there is a need for proper legislations for such cases.

To this, the IHC chief justice remarked that this court cannot order parliament to frame regulations. Justice Minallah appreciated all the members of the commission and said all of them were respectable personalities.

During hearing, PTI MNA Dr Ramesh Kumar thanked the Islamabad High Court. To this Justice Athar Minallah replied, “You don’t need to say thanks.” The court also approved plea of the commission seeking more time for submission of the final report and adjourned the hearing till May 14.