Misbah to stay in Lahore for now

Sajad Rana is fighting his daughter's repatriation

The Scottish schoolgirl at the centre of an international custody battle is to stay in Pakistan until at least the middle of January.

A hearing into Misbah Rana's case, due to take place at Islamabad Supreme Court, has been postponed until then.

A judge sitting in a lower court - the high court - had ruled that the 12-year-old's case be heard in the UK.

The father of the girl, also known as Molly Campbell, appealed that ruling asking for his daughter to stay.

Sajad Rana spoke of his relief that Misbah, who left her home and mother Louise Campbell in the Western Isles for Pakistan in August, has been allowed to remain with him at least into the new year.

The court said it did not have time to hear what is a very important case today Solicitor Naheeda Mahboob Elahi

He said: "I am very relieved and feel very happy that the judge has ordered her to stay here. I am very hopeful."

However, Ms Campbell's Edinburgh solicitor Shona Smith said her client was disappointed by the decision.

Her lawyer in Pakistan, Naheeda Mahboob Elahi, said: "The court said it did not have time to hear what is a very important case today.

"The hearing will now take place in the second week of January. The child will meanwhile not be removed."

A Lahore High Court judge had ruled that she be handed over to a female officer from the British High Commission by Wednesday, 6 December.

Legal battle

He made his decision on the basis that 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.

The legal battle for custody of the girl began in August after she left her mother's home.

Ms Campbell claimed that her daughter had been taken to Pakistan illegally.