SC gives stay against LHC verdict in Misbah case
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—The Supreme Court on Friday suspended the verdict of the Lahore High Court in the Pakistani born Scottish girl, Misbah Iram, and issued a stay order directing that she would stay in Pakistan till the decision of the apex court.
The full bench of the Supreme Court comprising chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, justice Syed Saeed Ashhad and justice Mian Shakirullah heard the appeal submitted by Rana Sajjad, the father of Misbah Iram. The Supreme Court ruled that Misbah Iram could not be sent back until apex court decides the case. The SC issued stay order and adjourned hearing of the case until second week of January. The consul of Misbah Iram, Malik Qayyum, contended that as far as the issue of handing over the child is concerned, the court prefers child interests to its authority. The High Court he said failed to decide as to who would be the custodian of the girl.