Pakistani Court to Revisit Maria Shahbaz Case Amidst Ongoing Concerns Over Forced Marriages
A high-profile case involving Maria Shahbaz, a young Christian girl from Pakistan, is set to be reviewed by the Federal Constitutional Court. The case has drawn significant attention due to allegations of kidnapping, forced conversion, and marriage.
Maria Shahbaz’s family claims she was only 12 years old when she was allegedly abducted and forced to marry 30-year-old Shehryar Ahmad. This case has sparked widespread protests across Pakistan, organized by Christians and human rights groups, especially after a petition filed by her father was dismissed by the court in March.
In response to public outcry, the Pakistani government established a 37-member national consultative committee. This committee is tasked with examining the case and suggesting measures to curb the practice of forced conversions and marriages.
ADF International, a legal advocacy group, has criticized Pakistani authorities for not enforcing their own legislation. The organization points out that the courts have not verified Shahbaz’s age, a necessary step according to the law, and have ignored statutes that prohibit minors from consenting to conversion or marriage.
Tehmina Arora, ADF’s Director of Advocacy for Asia, stated, “This case is a crucial moment in the movement to protect young girls from the crisis of forced marriage in Pakistan. We hope that Pakistan’s highest court will soon agree to review Maria’s case and re-examine the evidence that was previously relied upon by the lower courts. Maria must be freed and safely returned to her family, where she will be safe from harm and able to practice her Christian faith.”
The abduction of minority girls, particularly from Christian and Hindu communities, has been a persistent issue in Pakistan for years. Many of these cases receive minimal support from the judicial system, with courts often legitimizing these forced marriages. Although the exact number of such abductions is unknown, estimates suggest that hundreds, possibly over a thousand, Christian and Hindu girls become victims of this practice each year.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
