Federal Court Decision in Pakistan Spurs Concerns Over Child Marriage and Forced Conversion
A recent ruling by a federal court in Pakistan has sparked outrage and concern among human rights advocates. The court granted custody of a 13-year-old Christian girl to a Muslim man, who allegedly kidnapped and forcibly converted her to Islam. This decision has brought to light systemic issues related to child marriages and forced religious conversions in the country.
In a contentious ruling, judges from the Federal Constitutional Court dismissed the girl’s official birth documentation and prior judicial findings that deemed her marriage illegal. Safdar Chaudhry, chairperson of Raah-e-Nijaat Ministry, expressed the anguish felt by Maria Shahbaz’s parents, whose attempts to reclaim their daughter through legal means have repeatedly failed.
Despite evidence presented by the investigating officer that no marriage record existed in the relevant union council, the court accepted Maria’s statement—alleged to have been made under duress—that she willingly converted and married 30-year-old Shehryar Ahmad. “We were hopeful that the court would consider the girl’s official birth document (B-Form) and the sessions court order confirming that the accused had contracted an illegal marriage with a minor,” Chaudhry stated to Christian Daily International–Morning Star News.
The case has highlighted concerns over the treatment of minor girls in Pakistan, where forced conversions and marriages are alarmingly common. Chaudhry criticized the police for their alleged leniency and inaction, noting that despite confirming the falsification of marriage documents, authorities failed to arrest the suspect.
Adding to the controversy, one judge questioned the validity of Maria’s birth registration, suggesting she appeared older than 13. This skepticism towards official documents, Chaudhry warned, sets a troubling precedent for the protection of minors. “If superior courts refuse to recognize official birth documents, there is little hope for protecting minor girls,” he cautioned.
Maria’s father, Shahbaz Masih, reported her abduction in July last year, but efforts to retrieve her have been thwarted by legal and procedural hurdles. The family’s legal team is exploring further options, including a potential review petition to challenge the court’s decision.
Similar cases in Pakistan often follow a pattern where young girls are abducted, forced into conversion, and coerced into giving favorable statements to their abductors. Human rights groups emphasize that these practices persist due to systemic flaws and a lack of enforcement of laws meant to protect minors.
In a bid to address these issues, a law was enacted in May 2025 that raises the minimum marriage age to 18 in the Islamabad Capital Territory, despite opposition from religious authorities. However, in Punjab, where the legal age for marriage remains 16, efforts to pass similar legislation have stalled.
With Pakistan ranked No. 8 on Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List of countries where Christians face severe persecution, the plight of young Christian girls remains a significant concern. The international community continues to watch developments closely, urging reforms that would better protect vulnerable populations.
This article was originally published at Christian Daily International–Morning Star News
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
