The tribal militia Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) on Saturday arrested a couple who had left the Charsadda district after their court-marriage some two and half years ago. Noorul Amin and Faiza had been living in the Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency for the past year, until their house in the Karigar Ghari area was raided by LI men. The militia said they were holding the couple after local residents complained about them. However, the detained husband told Daily Times that he and his wife had married in a Nowshera court two and a half years ago, and that after living in Afghan Colony, Peshawar, for one and a half years, they had shifted to Bara. Amin said he was a motorcycle dealer and was not involved in any illegal business, as had been alleged by relatives of his wife.
However, self-proclaimed LI chief Mangal Bagh said the couple was detained after the LI received complaints from local residents. He said his militia was ‘investigating’ the matter. He said his organisation would contact the woman’s father, in addition to those who might have any proof of charges against the couple. He said the couple would be provided with protection if they were found not guilty, otherwise the couple would be punished according to local customs and traditions.