Rising Abductions and Forced Conversions of Minority Girls Spark Concern in Pakistan

Pakistan is once again facing global scrutiny over the treatment of its religious minorities, with growing reports of abductions and forced conversions of young Christian and Hindu girls. Rights groups warn the problem has become a “systematic crisis,” worsened by state inaction and increasing radicalisation.

One such case is that of Muskan Liyaqat, a 14-year-old Christian girl from Muridke in Punjab’s Sheikhupura district. Abducted at gunpoint in May 2023, she was held captive for nearly two years. During this period, she was forcibly converted to Islam, declared a “wife” by her captors, and subjected to repeated sexual abuse. Muskan recounted being beaten with an iron rod, forced to undergo an abortion, and verbally abused for her Christian faith. She finally managed to escape in June 2025 and regain her freedom.

Just days later, another disturbing incident occurred in Sindh. On June 19, four Hindu siblings—Zia (22), Diya (20), Disha (16), and Ganesh Kumar (14)—were abducted in Shahdadpur. Within two days, videos of the children praying Islamic prayers under new names circulated widely on social media, raising alarm about coercion and exploitation.

According to estimates by the Movement for Solidarity and Peace, around 1,000 Christian and Hindu girls are abducted every year in Pakistan. Police response remains weak, with many cases dismissed or misclassified. Courts frequently uphold the claims of abductors that the girls consented to conversion and marriage, despite evidence of coercion. Rights organisations including Jubilee Campaign and Open Doors report that the scale of the crisis is worsening, with victims as young as ten years old abducted in 2024.

Efforts to address the issue through legislation have repeatedly failed. A proposed law criminalising forced conversions has stalled due to pressure from powerful religious lobbies. On August 11, observed as National Minority Day, rallies were held in Karachi and Lahore demanding constitutional reforms, stricter enforcement of laws, and stronger safeguards for minority communities.

Analysts caution that rising radicalisation, coupled with state inaction, is leaving Pakistan’s minorities increasingly vulnerable. Rights groups are urging the international community to link aid and partnerships with measurable improvements in minority protection.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)