Atrocity in Pakistan as 13-year-old Christian girl abducted, forced into marriage

Islamabad (The Uttam Hindu): A serious human rights violation has emerged from Pakistan's Punjab province, where a minor Christian girl was allegedly abducted, forcibly converted to Islam, and married to a Muslim man. A leading human rights organization said on Wednesday that the incident raises serious questions about the safety of children and religious minorities in the country.

According to the Voice of Pakistan Minorities (VOPM), a 13-year-old Christian girl, a Class 6 student from Sahiwal district in Punjab, was allegedly abducted and forced to undergo two procedures no child is capable of consenting to: forced conversion and forced marriage.

The human rights organization reported that the girl's parents find themselves living in a desperate and vulnerable situation. The victim's mother is disabled due to a fractured leg, while her father is physically disabled and supports the family by selling eggs. "In a home where every penny counts and every day is filled with struggle, the daughter's disappearance has become a nightmare that doesn't end even in the morning," the organization said.

Citing family and local community members, VOPM reported that the alleged kidnapper has been identified as Ali Haider, who is said to be from Pakistan's Muslim Jatt community. It is alleged that after the abduction, the girl was forcibly converted to Islam and forced to marry the same man.

The organisation said that community representatives have also strongly condemned the incident and termed it a serious violation of human rights, especially child rights.

The VOPM alleges that despite several days having passed since the incident, there has been no concrete progress in recovering the girl. Meanwhile, the family continues to face threats to prevent them from taking legal action.

"This is cruelty upon cruelty—first the child is taken away, and then the parents are told to accept it or suffer the loss. Fear becomes a cage for families struggling with disability and poverty," the organization said.

Citing human rights activists, VOPM said forced conversions for marriage flourish in places where there is an imbalance of power, communities feel isolated and perpetrators believe they can escape punishment.

VOPM calls on Pakistani authorities to immediately recover the girl safely, ensure her safety and well-being, protect the family from threats, and ensure a transparent legal process in the case. The organization emphasized that this case should not be swept under the rug as a "private matter," but rather be treated as a serious crime against a minor.