Najma's Story
(Najma got married at a young age)
A girl named Najma, around 20-21 years old, arrived at the Hawa Shelter Home (Panahgah) and stated that Dr. Tahira had referred her there. She explained that her parents had passed away when she was eight years old, and since then, she had been living with her maternal uncles. She first lived with one of her uncles in Karachi for two to three years and then moved to another uncle's house in Sargodha.
Najma's uncle wanted her to marry his son, but she refused, saying that he was addicted to drugs. Her uncle, however, was adamant about the marriage. Unable to bear the pressure, she ran away from her uncle's house.
While standing outside Dr. Tahira’s house, Dr. Tahira noticed her and inquired about her situation. Najma narrated her entire story and expressed her desire to find a safe place instead of returning home. Dr. Tahira then informed her about Star Welfare Organization (Punjab) and Hawa Shelter Home (Panahgah). Following this, Najma arrived at the shelter home.
Najma shared her story with the Star Welfare team. Upon hearing it, caretaker Baba Muhammad Shafique Dogar asked the in-charge of Hawa Shelter Home, Riffat Rani, to counsel her and gather more details. For two days, Najma refused to provide any contact details, but eventually, she gave a phone number. When Baba Muhammad Shafique Dogar contacted the number, it turned out to be incorrect.
Later, when a correct number was provided, her mother answered the call and revealed that Najma had been missing for three days, and the family was searching for her. She clarified that she was Najma's real mother, not her aunt. She further disclosed that she had five daughters, Najma was married, and she even had a five-year-old daughter. According to her mother, Najma worked at a lawyer's house but had left after a dispute.
The organization informed Najma's mother about the story Najma had told them. In response, Najma’s mother, along with her two daughters and Muhammad Shoaib, visited the Star Welfare Organization on 3rd November 2024 to meet Najma. The truth was then revealed—Shoaib stated that he was also a worker, and Najma’s younger sister worked at Chathas' house.
Najma’s sisters and mother claimed that Najma had fabricated her story. After a lengthy discussion, Najma admitted that she had lied about her circumstances. She confirmed that she neither worked at a lawyer’s house nor was she unwilling to return to her husband.
Najma’s mother revealed that Najma had married at a young age and still did not possess an ID card or B-form. She requested the organization to hand Najma over to them. After meeting her family, Najma also agreed to return home. Her mother provided a copy of her ID card to the organization, and they took Najma back with them.
