60-year-old man who allegedly married 4-year-old girl in Chaman flees to Afghanistan

The 60-year-old man, who allegedly married a four-year-old girl in Chaman, has fled to Afghanistan, while the girl’s father and the suspect’s brother have been arrested, police said on Monday.

According to the police, the investigation into the alleged child marriage has also uncovered a possible link to the killing of the girl’s 14-year-old sister, who was allegedly murdered in Kuchlak on September 7.

The girl’s arrested father told police that his 14-year-old daughter had allegedly faced violence at her in-laws’ home and that the family had repeatedly been pressured to arrange another minor daughter’s marriage.

He alleged that a marriage between his four-year-old daughter and the 60-year-old Salahuddin had been agreed for Rs2.5 million last month. However, before the payment was made, Salahuddin allegedly demanded the hand of his eight-year-old daughter instead.

The father claimed that after he refused, his 14-year-old married daughter was allegedly tortured and killed in Kuchlak on September 7.

Police said they were investigating the possible involvement of other people in both incidents and taking steps to protect the minor girl and proceed with legal action.