Information on arranged marriages in North West Frontier Province generally, and within the Pashtun community specifically, is scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), an independent non-governmental organization, a generalization concerning the situation of males, particularly Pashtun males, in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) who refuse to participate in an arranged marriage, is almost impossible to make and each case should be examined individually (15 Apr. 2004). The HRCP's position is the same on the issue of whether the bride-to-be could marry someone else if such an engagement is terminated-each case should be examined individually (HRCP 15 Apr. 2004). In the opinion of the Joint Director, in each case, the situation of the groom-to-be and the bride-to-be, their family, the circumstances and whether they live in a rural or urban area of the province would need to be examined (ibid.).

Speaking generally and without reference to the Pashtun community, the Joint Director indicated that a man who refused to accept an arranged marriage would be placed under great pressure socially and from his family and might have his family ties severed (ibid.). More serious consequences are unusual but would depend on the individual circumstances (ibid.). The Joint Director added that a woman whose intended husband refused the marriage could legally and morally pursue marriage with someone else, but might suffer considerable social stigma

... which is generally embarrassing for the young woman, and is in some cases [is interpreted as a sign] that the groom-to-be and his family were not satisfied with her moral character/personal traits etc. In such circumstances, it may be somewhat difficult for her to find a suitable match (ibid.).

The Joint Director stated that the above would also apply to those who belong to the Pashtun community, and added that Pashtuns, an ethnic community generally located in the NWFP, are extremely conservative and possess firm social rules (ibid. 21 Apr. 2004). In light of this,

[a] Pashtun male rejecting an arranged marriage is thus likely to face a degree of greater family/social pressure than his counterpart in the Punjab. Similarly, a Pashtun bride may find it some degrees harder to find a suitable match after a broken arrangement (HRCP 21 Apr. 2004).

The Joint Director emphasized that these are "broad generalizations" and such cases should be assessed individually (ibid.).

Corroborating information on the situation of males, particularly Pashtun males, in North West Frontier Province who refuse to participate in an arranged marriage that is set up by his and the bride's families, including whether the bride-to-be could marry someone else if such an engagement is terminated, could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). 21 April 2004. Correspondence from the Joint Director.

_____. 15 April 2004. Correspondence from the Joint Director.

Internet sources, including: Amnesty International (AI), Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2003, Dialog/WNC, Dawn, European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI), Freedom in the World 2003, Human Rights Watch (HRW), Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN), Middle East Times, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR).