A major controversy has erupted in Hyderabad after police recovered three underage girls allegedly held captive by a serving police officer in a case linked to a reported free-will marriage dispute.
Authorities in Mirpurkhas confirmed Tuesday that the girls were rescued during a police operation and that a serving assistant sub-inspector was among those arrested.
The incident has renewed concerns over rising cases of kidnappings, forced retaliation linked to family honour disputes, and allegations of police involvement in criminal activities across parts of Sindh.
Police Officer Among Those Arrested
According to DSP CIA Kareem Bux Baloch, police arrested Assistant Sub Inspector Bahadur Marri and another suspect identified as Afzal Marri during the operation.
Authorities recovered three girls:
- 17-year-old Aasia
- 13-year-old Nazia
- 12-year-old Rehana
All three reportedly belong to the Manganhar community.
Police stated that while neither the girls nor the accused alleged sexual assault, investigators believe the victims were physically abused during captivity.
An FIR has reportedly been registered against nine named suspects along with approximately two dozen unidentified individuals under multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and Anti-Terrorism Act.
Kidnapping Allegedly Linked to Free-Will Marriage
Investigators say the girls were abducted on May 17 from a village located within the jurisdiction of Dilbar Mahar police station.
According to police, a large armed group allegedly led by Bahadur Marri stormed the village carrying weapons and axes before abducting the girls.
Members of the Manganhar community were also reportedly assaulted during the incident.
Family Dispute Escalated Into Violent Retaliation
Local resident Ali Nawaz Manganhar, who reportedly sustained injuries, told media that the kidnappings were intended to pressure a man accused of helping facilitate a free-will marriage involving a woman from the Marri family.
According to his account, the woman had married without her family’s consent, triggering retaliatory action against members of the Manganhar community.
Police later determined that the marriage had occurred voluntarily, contradicting earlier allegations of kidnapping connected to the woman.
Delayed Police Response Raises Questions
Officials acknowledged that police required nearly a full day to recover the girls because suspects allegedly kept moving them between locations.
However, the case has intensified criticism of law enforcement response times and broader policing failures in Sindh regarding violence linked to honour disputes and abductions.
Human rights observers have repeatedly warned about:
- Delayed police intervention
- Weak enforcement in rural areas
- Pressure from influential local groups
- Gender-based violence
- Misuse of police authority
The involvement of a serving police officer has further increased public outrage surrounding the case.
Rising Honour-Related Violence in Sindh
The latest incident comes amid growing concern over a rise in kidnappings, honour-related violence, and attacks targeting families involved in free-will marriages across Sindh.
Rights groups say women and girls are frequently caught in tribal and family disputes, particularly in rural districts where traditional power structures remain highly influential.
The report also referenced another recent case in Jacobabad where an entire village was allegedly burned down earlier this month in connection with a similar conflict.
According to reports, authorities delayed registering an FIR in that incident for approximately 10 days.
Human Rights Concerns Intensify
Women’s rights advocates have long argued that honour-related violence in Pakistan often goes underreported or receives delayed legal action unless cases gain widespread media attention.
Activists say:
- Victims frequently face intimidation
- Families may avoid reporting crimes
- Local political pressure can influence investigations
- Police reforms remain inconsistent
Legal experts also warn that the misuse of anti-terrorism laws in social and tribal disputes can complicate investigations while failing to address deeper systemic issues.
Calls for Accountability Grow
The involvement of a police officer in the alleged kidnapping is likely to increase demands for stronger accountability mechanisms inside law enforcement institutions.
Civil society groups have repeatedly called for:
- Independent investigations
- Better protection for women and minors
- Faster response systems
- Stronger oversight of police conduct
- Enforcement against honour-based crimes
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether additional arrests are expected.
Analysis: Free-Will Marriage Disputes Continue Fueling Violence
The Mirpurkhas kidnapping case highlights the continuing dangers faced by individuals and families involved in free-will marriages in parts of Pakistan.
Despite legal protections, social pressure and tribal traditions often continue to override formal law enforcement systems in rural areas.
The use of retaliatory violence — particularly targeting women and children — reflects how honour disputes frequently escalate into broader communal conflicts.
The allegations against a serving police officer are especially significant because they reinforce long-standing public concerns about abuse of authority and institutional complicity in local power struggles.
As public pressure grows, the case may become another major test of whether authorities in Sindh are prepared to pursue accountability beyond low-level arrests and media statements.
