In a controversial ruling by the Chief Court of Pakistan occupied Gilgit-Baltistan, Falak Noor, a minor girl, whose age was medically determined to be between 13 and 16, has been granted the authority to choose between her parents and alleged husband, who abducted her.
Despite clear medical evidence establishing the girl’s age, the court opted to prioritize her stated preference during the proceedings. This decision has sparked outrage within the community, as it raises serious questions about the judiciary’s handling of cases involving minors.
The girl’s disappearance from her home in the Sultanabad area of Danyor tehsil, Gilgit, on January 20, prompted her father to file a complaint against a 17-year-old boy, their neighbour. However, despite the availability of leads on the alleged abductor, the occupying police remained passive during the two-month period of her absence.
After extensive public outcry, the court eventually ordered the local administration to produce the girl, who was subsequently returned to the alleged abductor as his wife. This decision, made in defiance of the girl’s age and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, highlights the judicial system’s failure to prioritize the well-being and safety of minors.
The court’s disregard for the potential coercion or threat faced by the Falak Noor in accepting the boy as her husband underscores the prevailing lawlessness in the region, which is exacerbated by Pakistan’s illegal occupation and the subsequent imposition of Imperial governance and judiciary.
In stark contrast, under a more accountable and transparent judicial system, such as India’s, the courts would likely have pursued justice for the parents and the girl, prioritizing the protection of minors and upholding the rule of law.