Misbah parents reach settlement

Misbah Rana expressed hapiness at the outcome of the case

A court has ruled that the schoolgirl at the centre of an international custody battle can remain in Pakistan after her parents reached a settlement.

Misbah Rana, 12, left her mother Louise Campbell's home in Scotland for her father Sajad Rana's home in Lahore six months ago.

A judge at the Supreme Court in Islamabad said Ms Campbell will be free to visit Misbah at Mr Rana's expense

Misbah said she was "really, really happy" with the settlement.

Chief judge, Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, dismissed Lahore High Court's earlier ruling that Misbah, also known as Molly Campbell, be handed over to British authorities to live with her mother.

He said the girl's parents agreed that she could live in Pakistan.

Outside the Supreme Court where the protracted legal case concerning the girl was called on Thursday, Mr Rana said terms of Ms Campbell's access to the youngster had been settled.

I'm glad I can stay in Pakistan and get on with my life Misbah Rana

He said: "The agreement that she can come to Pakistan here and to visit me as well, no problem, I will pay the costs."

Misbah said: "I'm really, really happy that I can stay in Pakistan now.

"I'm glad I can stay in Pakistan and get on with my life."

Ms Campbell, who lives in the Western Isles, had been granted interim custody of her daughter by the Court of Session in Edinburgh last June.

However, Misbah insisted she wanted to live with her father's family in Pakistan.

There has not yet been an official response to the agreement from Misbah's mother.