Pak school ready to readmit 7th grader expelled for ‘underage’ marriage

PESHAWAR - The management of the Peshawar Model School, which had rusticated a grade seven student for getting married despite being under-age, has agreed to readmit Ghairat Khan if the court of law asks it to do so.

Khan had challenged the school’s decision, saying his marriage was legitimate as he had entered into wedlock after attaining puberty and with the consent of his mother and relatives, which was permitted by Shariah.

However, Ghayur Sethi, chief executive of the Peshawar Model School system, said Khan had violated Child Marriage Restrained Act, as he was only 13 years of age, The News reports.

“The student was recently promoted to seventh grade. He is hardly 13 years of age. His early marriage will certainly affect other children, which is why he was rusticated from the school,” Sethi said, adding that the administration would obey the court’s verdict if it ordered Khan’s readmission.

Khan, in his petition, argued that his father had died some months back and his ill mother was finding it difficult to carry out the household work alone, which was the reason why he married one of his uncle’s daughters. (ANI)