KARACHI: A sessions court in Karachi has sentenced a man to 80 lashes for denying paternity of his child and falsely accusing his ex-wife of adultery.
Fareed Qadir was convicted by Additional District and Sessions Judge (Malir) Shehnaz Bohyo under Section 7(1) of the Offence of Qazf (Enforcement Of Hadd) Ordinance, 1979, for disowning his legal child and making false accusations against his ex-wife. The judge’s verdict stated that Qadir’s fabrication of allegations against his ex-wife regarding the legitimacy of their daughter was evident, leading to his conviction and punishment.
The said section of the ordinance reads: “Whoever commits qazf liable to hadd shall be punished with whipping numbering eighty stripes.”
The judge wrote in his verdict: “It is crystal clear that the accused is a liar and had fabricated an allegation of Qazf upon the complainant regarding illegitimacy of her daughter… Thus, he is convicted and sentenced to 80 stripes each under section 7(1) of the Qazf Ordinance, 1979.”
The court ruled that his evidence shall not be admissible in any court of law following the confirmation of the conviction from the Federal Shariat Court.
“As the accused is sentenced to whipping only… he shall remain on bail, provided that he agrees to appear at the time and place designated by this court for the execution of the punishment of whipping, following the confirmation of the conviction and sentence by the court of appeal, and submits a bail bond in the sum of Rs100,000,” said the verdict.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Qadir’s ex-wife, who detailed their marriage in February 2015 and subsequent issues. Despite court orders for maintenance, Qadir failed to fulfill his responsibilities. During the trial, Qadir submitted applications for a DNA test for the child, which were later withdrawn. In response, the ex-wife sought legal remedy against Qadir for his serious allegations.
Despite Qadir’s denial and assertions about their marriage, the court noted his lack of evidence and contradictory statements. Prosecutor Saira Bano, reflecting on her legal experience, noted the rarity of flogging convictions under this ordinance, indicating the significance of this case in terms of corporal punishment.
