Introduction
Forced religious conversion is one of the most pressing and painful issues facing minority communities in Pakistan. Despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, young Hindu and Christian girls are often targeted through abductions, coercion, or forced marriages, with perpetrators exploiting gaps in the legal system.
Legal Context
Forced Conversion Cases – Pakistan
100%
Hindu Girls – 120
Christian Girls – 45
Other / Unknown – 10
- Constitutional Protections: Article 20 of Pakistan’s Constitution guarantees freedom to practice religion.
- Legal Gaps: Pakistan has no specific federal law criminalizing forced conversion, though some provinces have debated or drafted bills.
- Marriage Laws: Victims are often married to their abductors under Islamic law, making prosecution difficult once a “conversion” and “marriage” certificate is presented.
Victims of Forced Conversions
- Hindu Girls: Primarily from Sindh province, where many Hindu families live in poverty and face systemic discrimination.
- Christian Girls: Targeted in Punjab and other regions, often from poor families working in low-wage jobs.
- Age Factor: Victims are frequently underage (13–17 years old), but courts often accept claims that the girl is of legal age once a religious conversion certificate is produced.
How It Happens
- Abduction: Girls are taken from their homes, schools, or workplaces.
- Coercion: Families report intimidation, threats, or physical abuse.
- Conversion Certificate: Local clerics issue certificates declaring the girl has “willingly” converted to Islam.
- Marriage: The girl is married to her abductor, which complicates family attempts to seek justice.
High-Profile Cases
- Rinkle Kumari (2012): A Hindu teenager abducted in Sindh; court accepted her “willing conversion,” despite her family’s protests.
- Maira Shahbaz (2020): A 14-year-old Christian girl abducted and forced to marry a Muslim man; later escaped and went into hiding.
- Arzoo Raja (2020): A 13-year-old Christian girl allegedly forced to convert and marry a 44-year-old man in Karachi.
Challenges in Seeking Justice
- Police Bias: Families often report that police refuse to register First Information Reports (FIRs).
- Court Rulings: Courts sometimes prioritize “conversion certificates” over evidence of coercion.
- Social Pressure: Families face harassment or threats if they pursue legal cases.
- Lack of Legislation: Proposed laws against forced conversions (e.g., Sindh 2016 bill) face strong opposition from religious parties.
Domestic & International Response
- Civil Society: Minority rights activists and lawyers continue to demand legal safeguards, despite threats.
- International Concern: Human rights groups, the EU, and the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) have repeatedly criticized Pakistan for failing to protect minorities.
- State Action: While authorities occasionally intervene in high-profile cases, systemic reform remains stalled due to political and religious sensitivities.