Pakistani 'sells' married sister for Rs.120,000

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani man who 'sold' his married sister for Rs.120,000 to settle a debt has been refused bail by a court on the ground that he does not deserve leniency.

Judge Jehanzeb Raheem of the Peshawar High Court Monday turned down accused Sabir Sajjad's plea for bail.

According to the police, Sajjad had swindled a man named Darweza Khan of Rs.120,000 and handed over his sister in 'marriage' when the debt was called.

Sajjad later reached a settlement with Khan and returned his money, Dawn reported on Tuesday.

The court, however, said Sajjad could not reach a settlement for the kind of offence he had been charged with.

The prosecution contended that Sajjad had sold his sister Aasia to Khan after concealing the fact that she was already a married woman. Their nikah (marriage ceremony) was performed and Aasia was sent to Khan's residence.

Aasia is said to have informed Khan about her previous marriage and said that the second marriage was illegal and un-Islamic.

Two other accused in the case, Yahya and his brother Ziaur Rehman, are absconding, the prosecution told the court.