• About Us
  • China Insight
  • Contact Us
  • Cookies
  • COPYRIGHT
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Sunday, June 1, 2025
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
The Public Purview
  • Pakistan
  • World
    • China Insight
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Showbiz
    ‘Call Me Bae’ review

    ‘Call Me Bae’ review

    25 years of Bebo: Bollywood's ultimate performer

    25 years of Bebo: Bollywood’s ultimate performer

    Iqra Aziz

    Iqra Aziz steals spotlight in no-makeup look

    Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh welcome baby girl

    Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh welcome baby girl

    'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' actor Vikas Sethi dies

    ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ actor Vikas Sethi dies

    Anees Bazmee confirms Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 release date

    Anees Bazmee confirms Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 release date

    Popular Indian tv actress Shweta Tiwari has once again mesmerized her lovers along with her present day photoshoot, wherein she looks breathtakingly lovely in a saree.

    Shweta Tiwari Stuns Fans with Gorgeous Saree Look

    Hania Amir

    Hania Amir demands Legal Action Over Fake AI video

    Sumbal Iqbal

    Sumbal Iqbal’s Beach Pictures Stuns Everyone!

  • Tech
    TECNO

    TECNO Launches PHANTOM V Fold2 & Flip2 5G – Innovation Redefined

    Pakistan Ranks Among Top Countries in Global Cybersecurity

    Pakistan Ranks Among Top Countries in Global Cybersecurity Index 2024

    Apple AI

    Apple AI expected to star as new iPhones are unveiled

    WhatsApp

    WhatsApp soon allow to message any APP

    YAMAHA

    YAMAHA self-driven bikes recognize its owner

    AI getting smarter by rereading questions

    AI getting smarter by rereading questions

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Health
  • Editorial
    • Opinion
  • Ambassador
  • E-Paper
  • TGP Mag
  • Pakistan
  • World
    • China Insight
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Showbiz
    ‘Call Me Bae’ review

    ‘Call Me Bae’ review

    25 years of Bebo: Bollywood's ultimate performer

    25 years of Bebo: Bollywood’s ultimate performer

    Iqra Aziz

    Iqra Aziz steals spotlight in no-makeup look

    Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh welcome baby girl

    Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh welcome baby girl

    'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' actor Vikas Sethi dies

    ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ actor Vikas Sethi dies

    Anees Bazmee confirms Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 release date

    Anees Bazmee confirms Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 release date

    Popular Indian tv actress Shweta Tiwari has once again mesmerized her lovers along with her present day photoshoot, wherein she looks breathtakingly lovely in a saree.

    Shweta Tiwari Stuns Fans with Gorgeous Saree Look

    Hania Amir

    Hania Amir demands Legal Action Over Fake AI video

    Sumbal Iqbal

    Sumbal Iqbal’s Beach Pictures Stuns Everyone!

  • Tech
    TECNO

    TECNO Launches PHANTOM V Fold2 & Flip2 5G – Innovation Redefined

    Pakistan Ranks Among Top Countries in Global Cybersecurity

    Pakistan Ranks Among Top Countries in Global Cybersecurity Index 2024

    Apple AI

    Apple AI expected to star as new iPhones are unveiled

    WhatsApp

    WhatsApp soon allow to message any APP

    YAMAHA

    YAMAHA self-driven bikes recognize its owner

    AI getting smarter by rereading questions

    AI getting smarter by rereading questions

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Health
  • Editorial
    • Opinion
  • Ambassador
  • E-Paper
  • TGP Mag
No Result
View All Result
The Public Purview
No Result
View All Result

Trapped in Tradition: Swara Marriage and Its Lingering Trauma

by Junaid Toru
March 19, 2024
in Pakistan
Trapped in Tradition: Swara Marriage and Its Lingering Trauma

Peshawar: Saira Khan (name changed for privacy reasons), now 55, was just 4 years old when her hand was given in Swara and was married off into a family of enemies in Swara at the age of 13 after his uncle stabbed a person to death over a miner dispute inside a mosque in Mardan city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan.

Swara is a notorious custom in Pashtunwali or Pashtun code of conduct mainly found in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Afghanistan where girls, often miners, are given in marriage to an aggrieved family as compensation to end the major disputes, often murders.

Similarly, for Saira, the elders came to take her in the dholi while she was playing with her doll in the streets after the jirga decided to be married off into the family of the aggrieved. The crying and mourning of Saira were heard by all the village when she was carried away in the dholi by the elders of the village who had decided to put an end to the enmity which lasted for at least 4 years after the killing. She was taken into the family before she was married to show it to the villagers as an example that I minor has been taken in Swara.

Remembering her past she said, “I was 4 years old and with a doll in my hand in the street, suddenly a dolly came, and I was forced to sit in it, and I started crying loudly.” Adding that she was not allowed to go outside the dhole as her in-laws wanted to show it to the people of the village that she was being brought in Swara from the house of the killer.

She said, “I was continuously crying, and the neighbourhood came to spectate when I was forced to sit in the dholi in the in-law’s house for at least 8 hours.”

Unfortunately for Saira, the killer and other uncles had their daughters, but her mother (the sister of the killer), gave her hand off in the aggrieved family, saying that she didn’t want her brothers in trouble in the future and wanted an end to the clash.

Saira said, “All three of my maternal uncles had daughters, but my mother forced me to accept the decision of the jirga for the sake of her brothers and gave me in Swara.”

Going through a harsh and tough life in her husband’s house after her forced marriage, she went through serious mental trauma for a long time.

She said, “My husband used to put me under mental stress at the request of his elder brother and mother for years.” She continued, “Fortunately, at the age 15, I gave birth to a baby girl, my life changed and my husband stood by me and took my side, saying that he wouldn’t allow me to be forced to do the odd work at home.”

As time passed, luck changed for Saira and her mother-in-law also expressed mercy on her as she accepted her as a member of the family.

Sardar Khan (not a real name), husband of Saira, 16 years old at that time, was also not in favour of the decision of the Jirga but he had to succumb to the decision of the Jirga.

Sardar Khan said, “I did not agree to this marriage, but I was forced to get married with the pressure of my elder brother and mother, saying it was a matter of honor for the family.” Adding that it was hard for him to accept the marriage and my mind was shattered, believing that the age of the girl was too little for the marriage, but my brother had decided to take the revenge of his father (who was killed).

Though there are no fresh and up to dated data is present with present with the government in Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) working in the field, however, program manager of Rehuma Family Plaining Association (RFPA) told this scribe that they found out at least 900 cases from 2009-2012.

In April 2022, to bar the paths to Swara, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly tabled a resolution in the house on Swara which was passed.

Former member of the provincial assembly and Chairperson Women Parliamentary Caucus KP Sumaira Shams said, “Several communities were made to do lawmaking on child marriage-related customs like Swara and Ghag.” She added that some of the work was already done, but the assembly were prematurely dissolved.

Swara is still a nightmare for many miniers in different parts on Pashtun lands, however, life for Saira changed later as the decision was taken without the consent of both husband and wife, they finally decided to make their lives better and accepted each other as husband and wife. Embarking on the journey of life, they gave birth to 4 daughters and two miscarriages.

Saira Khan told this scribe, “The doors opened for us and our forced marriage was successful after a lot of trauma and challenges for years.” However, she added that this doesn’t go for anyone as his husband luckily proved to be a true gentleman.”

She said that no one should be given in Swara as only those who go through it know the pain and tension of it.

Tags: KPKPAKISTANPESHAWARpublic purveiwSwara Marriage
Junaid Toru

Junaid Toru

Next Post
PC Bhurban

A journey to sahara – PC Bhurban's irresistible iftar-dinner extravaganza

“The Public Purview” is where knowledge meets enlightenment.

With a commitment to providing accurate, fair updates, we aim to be your go-to source for information on local and global events.

Our dedicated team of journalists and editors work tirelessly to deliver stories that matter most to you. From politics to technology, culture to science, we’ve got you covered. Stay informed, stay connected, and join us on this exciting journalistic journey.

Useful Link

  • Pakistan
  • World
    • China Insight
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Showbiz
    ‘Call Me Bae’ review

    ‘Call Me Bae’ review

    25 years of Bebo: Bollywood's ultimate performer

    25 years of Bebo: Bollywood’s ultimate performer

    Iqra Aziz

    Iqra Aziz steals spotlight in no-makeup look

    Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh welcome baby girl

    Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh welcome baby girl

    'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' actor Vikas Sethi dies

    ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ actor Vikas Sethi dies

    Anees Bazmee confirms Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 release date

    Anees Bazmee confirms Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 release date

    Popular Indian tv actress Shweta Tiwari has once again mesmerized her lovers along with her present day photoshoot, wherein she looks breathtakingly lovely in a saree.

    Shweta Tiwari Stuns Fans with Gorgeous Saree Look

    Hania Amir

    Hania Amir demands Legal Action Over Fake AI video

    Sumbal Iqbal

    Sumbal Iqbal’s Beach Pictures Stuns Everyone!

  • Tech
    TECNO

    TECNO Launches PHANTOM V Fold2 & Flip2 5G – Innovation Redefined

    Pakistan Ranks Among Top Countries in Global Cybersecurity

    Pakistan Ranks Among Top Countries in Global Cybersecurity Index 2024

    Apple AI

    Apple AI expected to star as new iPhones are unveiled

    WhatsApp

    WhatsApp soon allow to message any APP

    YAMAHA

    YAMAHA self-driven bikes recognize its owner

    AI getting smarter by rereading questions

    AI getting smarter by rereading questions

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Health
  • Editorial
    • Opinion
  • Ambassador
  • E-Paper
  • TGP Mag
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Cookies
  • COPYRIGHT
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • China Insight

The Public Purview © 2024. All Rights Reserved. Website Designed & Developed by AK Web Solutions

No Result
View All Result
  • Pakistan
  • World
    • China Insight
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Showbiz
    ‘Call Me Bae’ review

    ‘Call Me Bae’ review

    25 years of Bebo: Bollywood's ultimate performer

    25 years of Bebo: Bollywood’s ultimate performer

    Iqra Aziz

    Iqra Aziz steals spotlight in no-makeup look

    Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh welcome baby girl

    Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh welcome baby girl

    'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' actor Vikas Sethi dies

    ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ actor Vikas Sethi dies

    Anees Bazmee confirms Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 release date

    Anees Bazmee confirms Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 release date

    Popular Indian tv actress Shweta Tiwari has once again mesmerized her lovers along with her present day photoshoot, wherein she looks breathtakingly lovely in a saree.

    Shweta Tiwari Stuns Fans with Gorgeous Saree Look

    Hania Amir

    Hania Amir demands Legal Action Over Fake AI video

    Sumbal Iqbal

    Sumbal Iqbal’s Beach Pictures Stuns Everyone!

  • Tech
    TECNO

    TECNO Launches PHANTOM V Fold2 & Flip2 5G – Innovation Redefined

    Pakistan Ranks Among Top Countries in Global Cybersecurity

    Pakistan Ranks Among Top Countries in Global Cybersecurity Index 2024

    Apple AI

    Apple AI expected to star as new iPhones are unveiled

    WhatsApp

    WhatsApp soon allow to message any APP

    YAMAHA

    YAMAHA self-driven bikes recognize its owner

    AI getting smarter by rereading questions

    AI getting smarter by rereading questions

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Health
  • Editorial
    • Opinion
  • Ambassador
  • E-Paper
  • TGP Mag

The Public Purview © 2024. All Rights Reserved. Website Designed & Developed by AK Web Solutions

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In