Marina was 3 years old when her cousin Altaf murdered another man called Arif. In the village Mayar in Mardan, Arif had during an exchange of words accused Altaf of bringing home young men to flirt with his sister. This provocation led to Altaf shooting Arif and then fleeing.
In Altaf’s absence the Jirga convened and the aggrieved family of Arif was awarded a house worth Rs. 300,000 and a girl. Since Altaf had no unmarried sisters, it was decreed that a daughter of an uncle would have to do, thus his cousin Marina was to be given in Swara. By this time 5 years had gone by and Marina was now 8 years old.
Marina’s father Fazlullah was greatly saddened by this turn of events, but was helpless in the face of the Jirga’s power. As a last ditch effort he mustered enough courage to approach Samar Minallah’s team of researchers who were visiting the area.
The research team addressed the Jirga and told them of the Supreme Courts ruling on such issues and on the custom of Swara. The Jirga withdrew their earlier verdict and came forward with a strictly financial compensation , thus resolving the matter with Diyaf (blood money) instead.
May Marina always blossom and stay happy wherever she is.