By Mujeeb Rahman Qambrani
MEHAR: A family from a village near Radhan held a protest at the National Press Club in Mehar, alleging threats and harassment following a dispute over their daughter’s marriage.
Muhammad Ishaq Zardari, a resident of village Taj Muhammad Zardari, arrived at the press club with his wife Naziran Begum, son Jameel Ahmed and daughter Shakeela Zardari, claiming that his daughter had been mistreated and expelled from her husband’s home shortly after marriage.
Speaking to reporters, Ishaq Zardari said he had married his daughter Shakeela to a relative, Ashfaq Zardari, three months ago. However, he alleged that just two days after the marriage she was beaten and forced out of the house.
He claimed his daughter later told the family that her husband had harassed and assaulted her. According to him, local elders attempted to mediate the dispute, but their decision was not accepted by the other party.
Ishaq Zardari said his daughter was unwilling to return to her husband and had warned that she would take her own life if forced to go back.
He further alleged that Ashfaq Zardari had demanded Rs700,000 in exchange for not sending the girl back to his house, and that tensions escalated after the family refused to pay the amount.
The protester also accused several relatives of Ashfaq Zardari — including Ghulam Abbas alias Bachal Zardari, Mehrab Zardari, Ali Gul Zardari and Javed Shah — of issuing death threats and harassing the family. He alleged that the men, who claim to be employees of Bilawal House, were trying to forcibly take his daughter away and had threatened the family with violence.
Ishaq Zardari claimed the accused were influential and had registered false cases against him through the SHO of Radhan police station, leaving the family fearful and unable to leave their home for work.
Appealing for intervention, the family called on President Asif Ali Zardari, Faryal Talpur, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Ali Hassan Zardari to take notice of the matter, provide protection and ensure legal action against those responsible.
They warned that if justice was not provided, the family would stage an extreme protest.
