Recover abducted Hindu girl, directs Pak court

Islamabad: A Pakistani court on Tuesday directed authorities to recover a 19-year-old Hindu girl who was abducted in Sindh province and allegedly forced to convert and married to a Muslim man.

Sindh High Court Chief Justice Mushir Alam issued the order while hearing a petition filed by the uncle of Rinkle Kumari, the Hindu girl who was recently kidnapped from Mirpur Mathelo in Ghotki district.

The Chief Justice directed authorities to trace the girl by March 12 and present her in court.

He observed that the act of abducting someone's daughter and holding her captive would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Rinkle's uncle Raj Kumar, who filed the petition, alleged that his niece was kidnapped by one Naveed Shah.

He alleged that Shah had forcibly married the girl.

Rinkle should be presented in court so that the judge could ascertain with whom she wanted to live, Kumar said.

The girl's family fled from Sindh after getting threats from the kidnappers and influential Muslims of Mirpur Mathelo.

The relatives have now taken refuge in a gurdwara in Lahore.

The relatives alleged Abdul Haq alias Mian Mitthu, a member of the National Assembly or lower house of parliament, was backing the kidnappers.

They further alleged Haq had pressurised the local magistrate to give a ruling in favour of the abductors and to ignore the written testimony of Rinkle.

Rinkle's father Nand Lal has said Mian Aslam, the son of Haq, and his friend Naveed Shah kidnapped his daughter.

Rinkle had passed the matriculation examination and arrangements had been made for her marriage, he said.

President Asif Ali Zardari has directed authorities to investigate the kidnapping and also sought a report from the Sindh government.

He called for "transparent and expeditious investigations" in the matter and for action in accordance with the law, regardless of the influence and status of anyone involved in the abduction.

Sindh has a sizeable population of Hindus, who are the largest minority community in Pakistan.

Hindus account for less than five per cent of Pakistan's total population of about 180 million.