KARACHI: A sessions court here has delivered a verdict resulting in Fareed Qadir being sentenced to 80 lashes. Qadir’s offense stemmed from his refusal to acknowledge paternity of his child and his subsequent false accusations against his former wife regarding adultery.
Under Section 7(1) of the Offence of Qazf (Enforcement Of Hadd) Ordinance, 1979, Judge Shehnaz Bohyo found Qadir guilty, leading to his conviction. This section specifically outlines the punishment of 80 lashes for individuals found guilty of committing qazf.
The case was initiated by Qadir’s ex-wife, who lodged a complaint alleging his failure to provide financial support for their daughter, despite a court decree mandating such assistance. Throughout the proceedings, Qadir denied the allegations, claiming his ex-wife had only spent a brief period with him after their marriage before leaving and never returning.
However, the court took note of Qadir’s admission during the trial under Section 342 of the CrPC, where he acknowledged the child as his legitimate daughter. This acknowledgment played a pivotal role in the court’s decision.
Despite attempts to retract his statements and applications requesting a DNA test for the child, which were subsequently withdrawn, the court remained firm in its ruling. Qadir’s refusal to accept parental responsibility and his baseless accusations against his ex-wife ultimately led to his conviction and sentencing.