Wednesday, February 28, 2007

A girls father lost her in a poker when she was 2 years old, has asked
authorities to save her from being handed over to a older relative.
Rasheeda, 17, said she has filed applications with the police and a local
councillor asking them to prevent Lal Haider, 45, from taking her to his
home. Her mother, Nooran said her husband racked up a debt of 10,000 rupees
($151) to Haider playing cards. "My husband didn't have money to pay, and
instead he told Lal Haider that he could take Rasheeda when she grows up,"
she said. Despite being paid his money last year, she said Haider still
insisted the girl should be given to him because of tribal customs.