SC directs police to provide security to Vani, Swara victims
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—A three-member bench of the Supreme Court Friday directed Inspectors General Police in Punjab and NWFP to provide adequate security to victims of “Vani” and “Swara” customs being used to settle major disputes. Both top police officials were also directed to provide data on cases related to the practice of the customs at the next hearing to be held on February 24, 2006.
The bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice M.Javed Buttar and Justice Tassaddaque Hussain Jillani issued notice to the Advocates General of Punjab and NWFP.
The District Police Officer (DPO) Mianwali appeared before the court and presented a report about some victims of “vani” namely Abida Bibi, Amina Bibi, Sajida Bibi and Fatima Bibi.
The DPO informed the court that three out of the girls had already left Mianwali and were residing somewhere in District Khushab.
The bench directed both the DPOs of Mianwali and Khushab to ensure security and protection for the girls who were apprehending danger to their life or threatening to commit suicide.
President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Malik Muhammad Qayyum, and Assistant Advocate General Punjab, Mrs. Afshan Ghazanfar, appeared before the court on the directive of the Chief Justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry who took suo-moto notice of this case on a news item published in an Urdu daily.
Syed Mansoor Ali advocate presented a report regarding “Vani” and “Swara” and Ms Samar Minallah, an anthropologist by profession from Peshawar, filed a petition before the court about the practice of the customs.
Miss Samar also presented CDs of a documentary prepared by her on “Swara” based on interviews with various girls belonging to different areas of the province.
Malik Qayyum requested the court for more time to conduct research about “Vani” prevailing in various areas of the province of Punjab. The bench accordingly adjourned the case until February 24.
Supreme Court Friday directed IG Punjab to provided protection to victims of Swara and Wani against punchayat decisions and present a report on 24 February.
The Supreme Court, taking suo moto action in Wani case in which five girls were given to the opponent side for reconciliation in Khoshab and Mianwali, started hearing of the case on Friday.
The court also directed IGs of Punjab and NWFP to collect details of all such cases and present in the next hearing.