Attempt to Marry Off 13-Year-Old Girl in Karachi Foiled; Several Arrested, Including Parents

Karachi: Authorities in Karachi have successfully thwarted an attempt to marry off a 13-year-old girl, arresting several individuals, including the girl’s parents. The joint operation was carried out by the South District Police and the Women and Child Protection Cell in the Hijrat Colony area.
The operation followed a tip-off to the authorities, and upon reaching the scene, police discovered that preparations were underway for the girl’s marriage. As a result of the swift action, the marriage attempt was halted before the Nikah (marriage contract) could take place.
According to a statement from the South District Police spokesperson, the Women’s and Child Protection Cell immediately alerted SSP South, Murtaza Ali, who instructed the Civil Lines Police to act on the situation. The authorities conducted a thorough investigation on-site, which revealed that the minor girl was indeed being prepared for a marriage.
Initial investigations confirmed that the girl’s marriage had been arranged, but the police’s timely intervention prevented the process from going forward. The police team then requested official documents from the family, which confirmed that the girl was only 13 years old.
Based on the girl’s statement and available evidence, the police arrested her parents and other individuals involved in the incident. A case (No. 97/2025) has been registered under sections 3/5 of the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act and Section 511 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
SSP South Murtaza Ali emphasized that the police will continue to take strict action against the abuse of children and the practice of illegal customs, regardless of the individuals involved.