Parliamentary group raises concern about forced marriage of Christian girl in Pakistan

A British parliamentary group has said it’s gravely concerned in regards to the case of a Christian girl, Maria Shahbaz, who was allegedly abducted and compelled into marriage in Pakistan.

The marriage was deemed lawful by Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court, however the girl’s father claims that she was underage on the time and was coerced into conversion. 

For a long time girls from Pakistan’s Christian and Hindu minorities have been targeted by older Muslim men for rape, forced conversion, and compelled marriage.

In a public statement, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Pakistani Minorities (APPG) said that while it respected the sovereignty of Pakistan’s judicial system, there was “a broader and well-documented pattern of allegations regarding the abduction, forced conversion, and marriage of ladies from religious minority communities, particularly Christians and Hindus”.

Minorities in such cases often face significant legal and social barriers to obtaining justice, with courts continuously siding with abductors.

Lord Alton, Co-Chair of the APPG, said, “The protection of youngsters and the safeguarding of non secular minorities are fundamental principles recognised across all legal systems.

“Allegations of forced marriage and conversion, particularly involving minors, demand the very best level of scrutiny, transparency, and sensitivity to make sure that justice is each done and seen to be done.”

The group called upon the Pakistani authorities to make sure that all allegations of forced marriage, particularly those involving minors be properly investigated and the laws enforced.

It also called for greater international cooperation to strengthen protections for religious minorities in Pakistan.

Separately, the APPG also raised the case of Christian shanty town dwellers faced with eviction. Poverty and discrimination within the housing market mean that many haven’t any viable place to go.