A father has been arrested in Pakistan for allegedly arranging the marriage of his three-year-old daughter to a 60-year-old man in exchange for 2.5 million Pakistani rupees, equivalent to about £6,800.
Police identified the father as Abdul Baqi, from the border city of Chaman in Balochistan, while the prospective groom was identified locally as Salah Uddin, according to the BBC.
The alleged arrangement was reportedly made under the traditional practice known as “walwar,” in which the family of a prospective groom provides money to the bride’s family in exchange for her hand in marriage.
The case came to public attention after reports of the proposed marriage went viral, prompting local authorities to launch an investigation.
Police found that although the walwar agreement had reportedly been documented, no money had actually been exchanged. Authorities said the marriage would have proceeded once the agreed payment was made, potentially making the three-year-old the 60-year-old man’s wife.
While the girl’s father has been arrested, Salah Uddin is reportedly at large, with police searching for him.
The investigation has also been linked to the recent death of the girl’s older sister, Shukriya Bibi, who was killed about two weeks ago in Kuchlak, on the outskirts of Quetta.
Shukriya was reportedly married to Salah Uddin’s son. Police have arrested her husband in connection with her death and are investigating whether a dispute between the two families may have played a role.
Balochistan prohibits child marriage, with legislation passed in 2025 setting the minimum legal age for marriage at 18.
Under the law, adult men convicted of marrying a child can face up to three years in prison and a fine of up to 200,000 Pakistani rupees, equivalent to about £540.
