IHC allows Ghotki sisters to live with their husbands

ISLAMABAD:     In the light of inquiry committee report ,Islamabad High Court (IHC) has allowed two Ghotki sisters ,newly converted to Islam to stay with their husbands.
IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah took up for hearing petition filed by two Ghotki sisters, newly converted to Islam from Hindu religion seeking protection on Thursday.
The interim report of inquiry committee was filed in the court.
Interior secretary appeared and told the court judicial commission was constituted on the orders of the court to probe into allegations of forced conversion. On April 9, minister for human rights Shireen Mazari and chairperson national commission for women rights, Khawar Mumtaz met these girls and we also met husbands of these girls. This case did not seem to be forced conversion case but this has become part of local culture of this area.
Interior secretary said Sindh government also presented report and commissioner and DIG Sukkar assisted commission in this regard. We called DCO of Rahim Yar Khan and compiled the report. On April 9 the medical reports of both these girls were received. According to these reports the girls are adults. Asia is 18 years old while Nadia is 19 years old. This is not forced conversion of religion but it is according to the situation prevailing therein.
CJ Athar Minallah remarked the minorities should not have any doubt that their rights are not secure. The members of commission are revered people and we have trust on them. It has become clear that the girls are adults and no forced conversion was made. Dr Ramesh Kumar is from ruling party, He should raise this matter on political forum.
CJ inquired from IA Rehman what is his opinion.
IA Rehman told the court that the centres where the girls embrace Islam should be regularized. There is no law in place here in connection with forced conversion.
CJ remarked “ we have full confidence on parliament. We cannot issue any directive to it. Parliament should hold debate on such matters on its own.
Member of commission Khawar Mumtaz told the court that this was a sensitive issue and we scrutinized it. The girls embraced Islam on their will for marriage.
CJ remarked the court ran this case ahead keeping in view the rights of minorities. We are allowing the girls to stay with their husbands.
The court allowed the girls to live with their husbands after hearing the case.