Accessibility links

Breaking News

Five Arrested In Marriage Of 6-Year-Old Pakistani Girl


Police in Pakistan's northwestern Swat district have arrested five men for their involvement in the marriage of a 6-year-old girl.

Police officer Daud Khan told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal on October 22 that two families in the remote village of Bazkhela were involved in marrying the girl to a 16-year-old boy.

He said police raided the village and arrested five men, including the bridegroom, his father, the cleric who conducted the ceremony, and two men who witnessed the marriage.

Khan said police are still looking for the girl's father, who fled.

The girl has been handed over to village elders.

Police are investigating the case further before sending it to a local court.

Pakistani law requires a bride to be at least 16 years old, but child marriages are still common in the rural areas.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG