A 13-year-old Christian girl from Pakistan’s Punjab province was abducted and coerced into converting to Islam and marrying a man, as reported by a human rights organization. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of children and religious minorities in the country. The girl, a sixth-grade student from Sahiwal district, was taken against her will, leading to a forced religious conversion and marriage that no child could consent to.
The girl’s parents, already facing challenges due to disabilities and financial struggles, are devastated by their daughter’s abduction. The alleged abductor, identified as Ali Haider from the Muslim Jatt community, is accused of forcing the girl into conversion and marriage. Community members and activists have condemned the incident as a severe violation of human rights, particularly children’s rights.
Despite efforts to recover the girl, little progress has been made, and the family continues to receive threats to deter them from seeking legal recourse. The situation has left the family in fear and uncertainty, with the rights body emphasizing the need for immediate action to protect the child and her family. Activists highlight that forced conversions in marriages often occur in situations of unequal power and isolation, where perpetrators act with impunity.
The human rights organization has urged Pakistani authorities to intervene promptly, secure the girl’s safety, shield the family from threats, and ensure a transparent legal process. The case is viewed as a crime against a minor and not a private matter, underscoring the importance of addressing it with seriousness and urgency.
