From On Air - Fall 2003

Marriage Rites

Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation has been airing PCI’s radio program Dukh Sukh Apney (Our Sorrows and Happiness) since February 2001. Each week a new episode is broadcast nationally in Urdu, and local versions are broadcast in Balochi, Punjabi, Pushto, and Sindhi, effectively reaching the entire country.

PCI works with Pakistan’s Ministry of Population Welfare and UNFPA to produce the serial drama, which addresses reproductive health, family planning, maternal and child health, drug abuse, education, and women’s empowerment. In a region where poverty, illiteracy, and lack of communications are common among the vast rural population, the need for information and inspiration is particularly acute.

In this first scene from episode 62, two men are chatting when one has a violent coughing spell.

Deen Muhammad: The doctor says it’s asthma, and that I need rest.

Karam Deen: Rightly so. Take good care of yourself.

Deen Muhammad: I know, I know. That’s why I’ve decided to marry again. Since my wife died and my daughter got married, there’s no one to take care of me.

Karam Deen: Have a heart! I gather you have plans to marry 14-year-old Asghari. Must I remind you that you’re 60?

Deen Muhammad: And must I remind you that this marriage has the blessings of both her parents and her grandfather? Who are you to object?

Karam Deen: I know the rest of the bargain, too. You plan to marry this underage girl, and you’ll marry off your own underage sister to Asghari’s grandfather.

Deen Muhammad: In my old age, I thought I might cut a deal with Asghari’s grandfather by paying him twelve thousand rupees and a motorbike for her father. In return I get their consent to marry Asghari. Can’t you appreciate how good this
bargain is for me?

Karam Deen: Brother Deen Muhammad, can’t you appreciate how cruel it would be for you to marry young Asghari, who has no idea of her rights? Why spoil her whole life just because she has a greedy father?

Deen Muhammad: I think I’d better go.

Meanwhile, the young woman, Asghari, speaks with her uncle.

Asghari: Uncle Ajmal, for goodness sake, save me!

Ajmal: Asghari, be brave. Everything will be fine.

Asghari: How can it? My wedding dresses have been made. Mother has asked my friends to start visiting our house to celebrate.

Ajmal: Don’t worry. You can’t be married without your consent. I’ve discussed it with the Moulvi Sahib [local priest who performs the marriage rites]. He assured me that according to Islamic tenants, a wedding can only take place when the girl approves of it. It’s also the law of the land that no one can impose his or her will.

Asghari: [sobbing] Uncle, who cares about a girl’s consent? Mother is siding with Papa, and you know Papa. He’ll kill me if I say no.

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