A teenage girl in southern Pakistan, whose late father lost her in a poker game when she was younger has requested from authorities to save her from being handed over to a middle-aged relative.
Rasheeda, now 17 years old, was just two years old when her father "lost" her in a poker game. According to her mother, Nooran, her husband racked up a debt of 10,000 rupees ($151) to Lal Haider. Her father had no money to pay, and instead he told Haider that he could take Rasheeda when she grows up as payment.
Rasheeda, said she has filed applications with the police and a local councilor asking them to prevent Haider, 45, from taking her to his home. But Haider insists the girl should be given to him, despite the fact that he was paid the money owed last year, because of tribal customs.
Khalid Rajput, a local councilor involved with the case, said the decision that Rasheeda should be handed over was taken late last week at a tribal council meeting.
But police officer Irfan Bhutto said that they will ensure the girl does not have to do anything against her will.
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