The European Parliament has condemned the alleged abduction, forced conversion and marriage of underage minority girls in Pakistan. EU lawmakers urged Islamabad to strengthen child protection laws, improve access to justice and create a national system for reporting such cases.
Forced conversion in Pakistan draws EU criticism
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Thursday, July 9, warning that the forced conversion and marriage of girls from religious minority communities has developed into a continuing human rights crisis in Pakistan.
Lawmakers said authorities must strengthen legal protections for children, ensure that age records receive proper recognition and prevent local institutions from validating marriages involving minors. The resolution also called for stronger accountability when police officers, officials or courts fail to protect girls facing abduction or coercion.
The Parliament based its concerns on reported cases involving Hindu and Christian girls, as well as information submitted by rights organizations and international bodies.
Maria Shahbaz case raises child marriage concerns
The resolution highlighted the case of Maria Shahbaz, a Christian girl who was reportedly 13 when she was taken from her home in July 2025. According to the European Parliament’s account, she was compelled to convert and later married to a 30-year-old man accused of abducting her.
Her family challenged the marriage using school and birth documents that they said confirmed she was a minor. However, the resolution stated that Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court upheld the union in March. Maria reportedly remains separated from her family while they explore another legal appeal.
EU lawmakers called for Maria to receive independent legal representation, contact with her relatives and appropriate psychological assistance. They said her case illustrates broader failures affecting underage girls from religious minorities.
Hindu and Christian girls face reported abuses
The resolution cited 2025 United Nations data indicating that Hindu girls represented about 75% of reported victims of forced religious conversion, while Christian girls accounted for the remaining 25%.
These figures point to a pattern in which poverty, social discrimination and weak enforcement of child protection laws can leave minority families with limited options. Rights groups have also alleged that courts sometimes accept statements claiming that girls converted and married voluntarily, even when families submit documents showing they are minors.
Human Rights Focus Pakistan has described Maria’s case as part of a documented pattern rather than an isolated incident. The organization has called for independent investigations and stronger safeguards throughout the legal process.
EU demands national reporting and legal reform
The European Parliament urged Pakistan to establish a national reporting mechanism for alleged abductions and forced conversions. Such a system would allow families to register complaints even when local police fail to act or refuse to open a case.
Lawmakers also called for the prosecution of people responsible for abducting and marrying minors. They said rescued girls must be allowed to return safely to their families and receive legal, medical and psychological support without pressure from accused individuals or local authorities.
The resolution increases international scrutiny of Pakistan’s record on child marriage, religious freedom and minority rights. Its impact, however, will depend on whether Islamabad introduces enforceable reforms and ensures that national laws are applied consistently at the local level.
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