Pakistan: 3-Year-Old Girl Married to 60-Year-Old Man for PKR 2.5 Million Under ‘Walwar’

A case involving an alleged child marriage has emerged from Chaman in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, where police say a three-year-old girl was allegedly married to a 60-year-old man for PKR 2.5 million under the traditional practice of ‘walwar’. Police arrested the girl’s father, Abdul Baqi, while the alleged husband, Salah Uddin, remains absconding.

What Is The Balochistan Child Marriage Case?

According to reports, police allege that Baqi had arranged his three-year-old daughter Babbo’s marriage to Salah Uddin for PKR 2.5 million. The case surfaced after details of the alleged arrangement emerged, prompting authorities to intervene and place the child and her mother under police protection. Why 150 Pakistani Sindhi Brides Reached India Following Government Clearance.

Police said the alleged marriage existed only on paper when authorities intervened because the agreed walwar payment had not been completed. A case has been registered on behalf of the state and investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances.

Probe Into Girl’s Sister’s Death

The investigation has also drawn attention to the death of Babbo’s 13-year-old sister, Shukria Bibi. Police are examining whether a dispute surrounding marriage arrangements involving the families was linked to her death.

Police said Baqi had earlier arranged Shukria’s marriage to Kamran, the son of Salah Uddin, for PKR 1.5 million under the same practice. BJP Corporator’s Son Marries Pakistani Woman Online: Tahseen Shahid’s Son Mohammad Abbas Haider Marries Lahore’s Andleep Zahra in Online ‘Nikah’ Ceremony in Uttar Pradesh.

Kamran has been arrested in connection with Shukria’s death. Police allege that he told investigators he struck Shukria with an iron rod after becoming angry when she looked outside through a doorway. The circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation.

What Is Walwar?

‘Walwar’ is a traditional bride-price practice found in parts of Pakistan, particularly among some Pashtun communities. Under the practice, the groom or his family pays an agreed amount of money to the bride’s family as part of a marriage arrangement.

In the Chaman case, police allege that the proposed marriage of the three-year-old girl involved a payment of PKR 2.5 million.

What Does Balochistan Law Say About Child Marriage?

The Balochistan Child Marriages Restraint Act, 2025, prohibits child marriage in the province and defines a child as a person below 18 years of age. The law provides penalties for adults who enter into, facilitate or assist child marriages.

The alleged arrangement in Chaman has therefore drawn attention to the implementation of the province’s child marriage law and the enforcement challenges surrounding such cases.

Child Marriage In Pakistan

The case has renewed attention on child marriage in Pakistan. UNICEF estimates that millions of girls and women in the country were married before turning 18. Reliable data on how frequently walwar arrangements involving minors occur in Balochistan is limited.

The three-year-old girl and her mother have been placed under police protection while officers continue their search for Salah Uddin. Police are also investigating the circumstances surrounding Shukria Bibi’s death.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 25, 2026 11:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).