DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A poor man ended his life by swallowing poisonous pills after his 11-year-old daughter was given as Vani by a village council (panchayat) in Bhagwani Shumali area in the limits of Paharpur Police Station.
Before this tragic incident, the panchayat had also taken Rs0.7 million from the poor barber named Adil.
The influential local landlords took extreme action against Adil after it was revealed that his nephew and the daughter of an accused, Fareed, had been in contact with each other in the village of Bhagwani Shumali.
The influential family allegedly picked up Adil through Malik Inayatullah and brought him to their hujra, where a panchayat was held.
During the panchayat, Adil was allegedly brutally tortured and forced to place his thumbprint on a stamped paper, according to which he agreed to give his 11-year-old daughter as Vani to the family. Prior to this, the accused had also taken Rs0.7 million from him.
Following this tragic incident, Adil was devastated by the forced marriage of his daughter, the extortion of Rs0.7 million and the inhumane torture. He recorded his final audio message explaining the entire ordeal.
In the message, he said that the accused, including Inayatullah and Fareed, had committed grave injustice against him by extorting money and forcibly taking his innocent daughter. He pleaded for justice and urged that the culprits should not be forgiven and that his family and children should be protected.
After recording the message, Adil consumed poisonous pills and ended his life.
The incident has caused grief and outrage among the local population. The people have demanded strict legal action against the culprits and severe punishment for those responsible.
According to sources, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police has taken notice of the incident and sought a detailed report.
Regional Police Officer Syed Ashfaq Anwar has instructed Assistant Superintendent Police Ali Hamza to ensure the immediate arrest of those involved. ASP Ali Hamza confirmed that a case has been registered at Paharpur Police Station and that the accused have been arrested.
Vani or Swara is a custom where girls, often minors, are given in marriage or servitude to an aggrieved family as compensation to end disputes erupted by a murder incident or bringing disrespect to a family.
Published in News Daily on 10-March-2025.
