February 24, 2021
By Asra Haque
LAHORE
The father of a 14-year-old girl believed to be the bride of JUI-F MNA Maulana Salauddin Ayyubi has denied reports of his daughter’s marriage in an affidavit to the Chitral police.
News of the alleged underage marriage has been circulating social media, with users expressing shock and disgust over reports of the nearly 60-year-old parliamentarian marrying a minor. Per the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929, the minimum marriageable age for girls is 16. A 2016 amendment to the Act stipulates three years imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 300,000 for contracting and solemnizing marriage with a minor. The parents or guardians of the concerned child involved in the marriage are also subject to fines and imprisonment.
Chitral police confirmed receiving an application from the Anjuman Dawat-o-Azeemat after reports of the incident went viral on social media. Per an inquiry, the ninth-grader was enrolled in the Government Girls High School, Jughoor, and per the school’s records was born on October 28, 2006, which makes her 14 years and four months old.
However, police stated that upon contacting the girl’s father, the latter denied that his daughter had married at all.
As of filing this report, Voicepk.net was unable to reach Mr. Ayyubi for his response to these claims.