Misbah Mother Drops Custody Claim

The mother of schoolgirl Misbah Rana has dropped her claim for custody of her daughter, the Supreme Court in Pakistan has heard. The 12-year-old, also known as Molly Campbell, left Scotland without her mother’s consent last August to be with her father, Sajad Rana.

Misbah’s mother, Louise Campbell, had temporary custody of her daughter. The court in Islamabad had been expected to make a ruling on whether Misbah should return to the UK. In December, a hearing into Misbah’s case was postponed until this month.

A judge sitting in Lahore High Court had ruled she be handed over to a female officer from the British High Commission by 6 December and then return to her mother, who lives in the Western Isles.

He made his decision on the basis the youngster was a UK resident and her case falls under its jurisdiction.

However, her return was delayed after Mr Rana appealed for Misbah to be allowed to stay in Pakistan while the custody case was resolved.

A judge in the case has already said Misbah must not be taken outside the country until he had issued a final verdict.

The case has drawn international attention since the youngster arrived in Lahore to live with her father and three siblings.