Love marriage valid, says Pak court in historic judgement

For nearly a year Saima Waheed, a young bride who flaunted tradition and chose the man she wanted to marry, lived in a shelter for women in Lahore while her parents tried to have her marriage declared invalid. They argued that Islamic tenets require parental permission before a woman can marry, but the court ruled that Waheed's decision to marry the man of her choice was in line with Islamic teachings.

I feel as if I am reborn,'' Waheed said, following the verdict. "This verdict proves that one can still get justice in Pakistan and that the rights granted to women in Islam and our constitution are genuine.''

In Pakistan, arranged marriages are the norm rather than the exception. But Waheed, chose her own marriage partner, something her parents refused to accept, explained Asma Jehangir, human rights activist and Waheed's lawyer.

Right wing extremists supported Waheed's parents and several times they threatened Jehangir, demanding she abandon the case.

Waheed's husband Arshad Ahmed spent four months in jail after their marriage, while the court decided whether the couple was legally married. "It shows that the young also have rights,'' he said.

Waheed's parents refused to comment. It wasn't immediately known whether they would appeal the decision. During the months that the court case dragged on, right wing religious groups tried to rally support against the couple. During each appearance a group of radical Muslims sat in the courtroom hurling insults and threats at Jehangir.

Late last year Jehangir's house was broken into by a group of thugs who warned her to drop the Waheed case. She refused.

"The apprehension expressed by religious groups that this would lead to the lowering of moral and family values is absolutely wrong,'' Jehangir said.