Pakistan Police has rescued a nine-year-old girl from getting married to a 14-year-old boy, in Punjab, Pakistan yesterday. They were made to married in a bid to settle a family dispute.

The police had also arrested four elders who have made the arrangement of the compensation wedding, foreign media reports.

Marriage among disputing families is a common practice in the country, where it is used as a tool to build and strengthen alliances, and settle debts.

"The girl's brother's wife died due to some health problems a few weeks ago, and (the wife's) relatives suspected foul play and accused her family of murder," deputy superintendent of police Mamoonur Rasheed told media.

In a bid to resolve the matter the village council has ordered the marriage.