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Child brides trafficked in name of marriage heinous crime against humanity: GB Deputy Speaker

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GIlGIT, Jul 26 (APP):Deputy Speaker of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, Sadia Danish has expressed deep concern and sorrow over the reported trafficking and exploitation of underage girls from the Astore district under the guise of marriage.
She added that ccording to credible sources, 70 to 80 such cases have surfaced, where minor girls were married off to much older men in Punjab and Azad Kashmir. Many of these marriages ended in immediate failure, while several girls continue to face abuse, coercion and violence.
She said in one particularly distressing case a 13-year-old girl was reportedly sold twice under the pretence of marriage. Deputy Speaker Danish condemned this practice, calling it a stain on societal values, human dignity, and parental responsibility.
“When brothers who are meant to protect their sisters begin selling off their innocent sisters for a few rupees, it is a moment of utter disgrace for humanity. Such cruel and shameless individuals deserve no leniency,” she stated.
Calling the act “human trafficking”, the Deputy Speaker emphasized that it is not only unethical and inhumane but also a serious criminal offense under the law. She urged immediate and strict legal action against all individuals directly or indirectly involved, including facilitators and buyers.
She further called for legal proceedings against those involved in falsifying age on identity documents, and stressed the urgent need to implement and enforce the Child Marriage Restraint Act in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Deputy Speaker Danish also highlighted the importance of providing legal, psychological and social protection to affected girls and called for a comprehensive public awareness campaign to educate communities about the gravity of the issue.
Commending the swift and serious response by Astore Police, she urged other law enforcement agencies to act with equal commitment. Concluding her statement, she made a strong appeal to civil society, the media, religious scholars, and the public to raise their voices against this inhumane practice, ensuring that no more innocent girls fall victim to such cruelty.
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