Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Molly's mother drops custody case

Lucy Christie,Pa
Wednesday 10 January 2007 05:22 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Scottish mother of tug-of-love schoolgirl Molly Campbell today dropped her case for full custody of her daughter.

A court in Pakistan heard Louise Campbell had decided not to pursue the case in return for regular access to her daughter.

Lawyer Nahida Mahboob Ellahi said after the Supreme Court hearing in Islamabad today: "I have made an offer on behalf of my client that she will not insist on full custody provided regular meetings with her daughter take place."

Molly, 12, also known as Misbah Rana, has been at the centre of an international custody battle since she left the Western Isles to live with her father in Pakistan in August.

She arrived in the city of Lahore after fleeing her mother's home on the Isle of Lewis.

Lahore High Court ruled in December that the schoolgirl should go back to live with her mother.

Her father, Sajad Rana, was expected to find out today if an appeal against the decision to return her to Scotland would be heard.

Lawyers for both parents will now discuss access arrangements before the case calls again on January 17.

Ms Ellahi said: "Both parties will then come back to discuss arrangements before the judge."

The lawyer has argued that Misbah should be allowed to speak to her mother on the phone at any time.

"A phone number should be provided for Mrs Campbell to call her any time," she said.

Misbah did not attend today's hearing.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in