Outrage grips Pakistan following the alleged abduction of a 13-year-old Christian girl in Punjab’s Sahiwal district, where she was reportedly forced to convert to Islam and marry a Muslim man, Ali Haider. Voice of Pakistan Minority (VOPM) has sounded the alarm on this egregious human rights breach, highlighting risks to children from minority faiths.
A class six student, the girl comes from an impoverished, disabled household. Her father’s physical limitations force him into egg-selling for survival, and her mother’s leg fracture adds to their woes. The loss of their daughter, amid threats to drop complaints, has shattered them.
‘Fear becomes a cage for families battling disability and poverty,’ VOPM poignantly noted. Community condemnation is unanimous, framing this as an unforgivable attack on innocence and rights.
With no headway in searches and intimidation persisting, the case exposes systemic failures. Such forced unions exploit imbalances, where minorities lack recourse and offenders count on leniency.
VOPM’s demands are clear and urgent: secure the girl’s return, ensure her safety, protect her relatives, and investigate thoroughly without cover-ups. This must be prosecuted as a felony against a child.
Beyond this tragedy, the episode fuels calls for nationwide reforms to curb forced conversions, bolster minority protections, and empower law enforcement. Only through decisive action can Pakistan affirm its commitment to justice and humanity.