A Pakistani father has spoken of his joy and delight at having his 12-year-old daughter returned home following her alleged kidnapping, forced conversion and marriage to a 45-year-old Muslim.
Asif Masih, from Faisalabad, said: ‘Praise God, for He has answered our prayers and rescued my daughter,’ after a Session Judge ordered that Farah Shaheen be released to her father from a government shelter ‘because she wants to go with him.’
Farah had told an earlier court hearing that she wanted to live with her so-called husband, Khizar Hayat – a statement made under threats and pressure at the shelter, her lawyer said. Since the marriage between Farah and Hayat was not registered and the Islamic marriage contract was unverified, she could not be kept in the shelter indefinitely.
