First Cousin Marriages in Pakistan--- Are We Suicidal??

Serajuddaula Syed

doi:10.46663/ajsmu.v12i1.1-2

Serajuddaula Syed Vice Chancellor and Professor of Pathology, Malir University of Science and Technology, Karachi.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46663/ajsmu.v12i1.1-2

Keywords: Cousin Marriages

Abstract

First cousin (consanguineous) marriages are very common in Pakistan. As per published data (Emery's Genetics) it is about 50 percent. In reality it is over 70percent. An honest country wide survey is required. Cousin marriages are almost 100percent in rural areas. In a short survey in rural Sindh, when they were told that children of both paternal and maternal uncles and aunties are your first cousins and should not be married with, the answer was amazing. Most of them said, " then what is left?". It is said that marrying outside first cousin may lead to label them "Kari"

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