A court in Karachi has ruled that the marriage between Dua Zehra and Zaheer Ahmed is “valid”.
The plea was submitted by Dua herself, requesting the court to declare her Nikkah void as it was done under “fear, pressure, duress, and coercion” and that she was underage at the time.
It is pertinent to mention that Dua Zehra had earlier stated that she willingly married Zaheer and said her parents used to beat her. However, she later filed a petition through her father to annul the marriage.
After hearing arguments, the judge ruled: “The marriage between the contracting parties, as well as the Nikahnama, is hereby declared valid, while the prayer to restrain the defendant is hereby dismissed.”
However, the court stated that the plaintiff had the liberty to approach the relevant court for the dissolution of the marriage.
Dua was allegedly kidnapped from Karachi and later found in Punjab in 2022. She married Zaheer, whom she had met while playing the popular online game PUBG.
Where does Dua Zehra live now?
Last year, a Family Court East in Karachi granted permanent custody of Dua Zehra to her parents, Mehdi Kazmi and his wife.
The court ruled that Dua Zehra would remain in her parents’ custody until she reaches adulthood, emphasising that the decision was made in her best interest, considering her well-being and her biological parents’ commitment to her safety.
