Police in Mardan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have rescued a minor girl who was allegedly being handed over under the illegal swara custom, while arresting 11 members of a local jirga involved in the decision-making process, officials said on Monday.
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According to police, the incident took place in the Lund Khwar area of Takht Bhai tehsil, where a jirga was convened to resolve a dispute between two families. During the proceedings, it was decided that a young girl would be given in marriage to an elderly man as compensation for an alleged offence involving her uncle.
Authorities said the matter came to their attention in time, prompting immediate police intervention. Officers raided the jirga session and stopped the arrangement before it could be implemented.
A case was registered against 12 individuals, including jirga members and a stamp vendor allegedly involved in formalising the decision. So far, 11 suspects have been arrested, while investigations are ongoing to trace remaining individuals linked to the case.
The rescued girl was taken into protective custody by police and later handed over safely to her mother, officials confirmed.
Swara is a traditional but illegal practice in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where girls, often minors, are given in marriage to settle disputes, including murder cases or family conflicts. The practice has been widely condemned by legal experts and human rights organisations.
The Federal Shariat Court declared swara unconstitutional and un-Islamic in October 2021, stating that it violates the principles of Islamic teachings and basic human rights.
Despite repeated legal action and awareness campaigns, the practice continues to surface in some rural areas, where informal jirga systems still influence local dispute resolution.
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Authorities have reiterated that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in such practices, warning that exploitation of minors in the name of customs will not be tolerated under Pakistani law.