Pakistan Minority Girls Abduction and Forced Conversion Crisis
Between 2021 and 2025, a leading minority rights organization documented 515 cases of abductions and forced religious conversions of girls from Pakistan’s minority communities, with Hindu girls constituting the majority of victims. A significant portion of these victims were minors, between 14 and 18 years old, and some were even under 14. The organization highlighted that these incidents are often followed by legal battles where parents are told their daughters “converted” or “married willingly,” raising serious questions about consent, especially when minors are involved. The repeated upholding of such marriages and conversions by Pakistani courts has left families devastated and powerless, underscoring the urgent need for stronger legal safeguards and institutional accountability.
John Q. Hosedrinker