Molly/Misbahs mother wins custody case - she must return to the UK

[Piffle]

from sky
Doesn't Want To Go'
Updated: 10:17, Wednesday November 29, 2006

A Scottish girl embroiled in an international custody battle must return to her mother in Britain, a Pakistani court has ruled.

The High Court in Lahore said 12-year-old Molly Campbell, also known as Misbah Rana, must be handed to the British High Commission within the next seven days.

She will then return to live with her mother Louise Campbell in the Western Isles, Scotland.

Molly has been at the centre of a tug-of-love legal fight after running away to Pakistan to be with her father Sajad Ahmed Rana.

He said: "I was very surprised and shocked by this decision. I must speak to my solicitor to see if we can appeal.

With her mother "Misbah is very devastated, she was crying, she is very upset. She doesn't want to go back to Scotland, she wants to stay here in Pakistan.

"She did not get a chance to address the court. She doesn't want to go back to Stornoway, her mother's partner used to shout at her."

Misbah's mother had lodged a legal petition in Pakistan claiming the youngster was taken to Lahore illegally by her former husband and eldest daughter.

Mrs Campbell had been awarded interim legal custody in the UK last year, for permanent custody of her daughter.

In legal papers submitted at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on November 17, Misbah became joint defender with her father against her mother's civil action.

An international hunt was triggered three months ago after her 18-year-old sister Tahmina - who lives in Pakistan - met the youngster outside her Stornoway school and went with her to an airport

arguablky she is in her own country now with her family

I guess that if she is brought back she will tell the court she wants to live in Pakistan and legally return

I'd gladly jack it all in for a lovely house and servants v. slogging away for Da Man and some idea that we're somehow first class status.

Annoys me more that they call her Campbell which is her disliked stepfather's name.

I wasn't that surprised that the court in Lahore ordered her return, as there's now a UK/Pakistan protocol for residence orders to be recognised in the country of origin, and the presumption is that the child will be returned to that country pending proceedings there.

I'd lay money, however, on the final residence order granting res. to father, because the court will,via the Cafcass officer, have to take heed of Misbah's wishes.