Muslim’s Custody of Christian Girl in Pakistan Condemned by Rights Advocates
August 29, 2026
The case of 13-year-old Christian girl Amber Nadeem has drawn renewed attention after human-rights and Christian advocates condemned the decision to place her in the custody of the Muslim man accused of abducting and marrying her. The controversy has intensified as questions remain over Amber’s age, disputed documents, and the circumstances surrounding her alleged conversion.
As her family continues to seek justice and protection for their daughter, rights advocates are urging Pakistani authorities to intervene and ensure that the rights and safety of the minor are fully protected.
Christian rights advocates have strongly condemned the decision of a Pakistani court to place a 13-year-old Christian girl in the custody of a Muslim man accused of abducting her, forcibly converting her to Islam and coercing her into marriage.
The renewed criticism follows a press conference in Faisalabad on August 29, where human-rights advocates and the girl’s mother called on Pakistani authorities to intervene and protect the child. Advocates warned that the court’s decision could leave the girl vulnerable to further coercion and abuse.
Rights Advocates Challenge Custody Decision
Christian rights advocates gathered at the Faisalabad Press Club to protest the July 25 decision by an additional district and sessions judge to give custody of Amber Nadeem to Mohsin Liaqat, the Muslim man accused in the case.
Minorities Alliance Pakistan Chairman Advocate Akmal Bhatti, Voice for Justice Chairman Joseph Janssen, Advocate Haroon Michael and rights advocate Sadaf Adnan joined Amber’s mother, Nadia Nadeem, in calling for the girl’s protection.
According to Janssen, Amber was allegedly abducted on June 12. Police later recovered her and placed her in protective custody at a Gender-Based Violence Unit, while Liaqat was arrested in connection with the allegations.
During an earlier court proceeding on June 27, Amber reportedly stated that members of Liaqat’s family had pressured her to claim that she was an adult. Questions subsequently emerged concerning documents presented by the defense that identified her as 18 years old and recorded her date of birth as June 2008.
Her family disputed those records, noting that her parents were married in 2012. A judicial magistrate ordered a medical examination to determine Amber’s actual age and directed that she remain in a government shelter while the matter was being investigated.
Court Proceeded Despite Unresolved Age Questions
According to Janssen, the medical age examination had not yet been submitted when the sessions court later granted custody of Amber to Liaqat and released him on bail.
The judge reportedly accepted an affidavit in which Amber stated that she had converted to Islam voluntarily, married Liaqat of her own free will and had not been abducted.
Government prosecutor Muhammad Anwar Naz reportedly opposed the bail application and urged the court to consider the existing case record.
Janssen also alleged that defense lawyers warned Amber during proceedings that she could face punishment for apostasy if she withdrew her alleged conversion to Islam. Advocates said such circumstances raise concerns that her statements may have been influenced by intimidation or coercion.
Family Challenges Documents
Amber’s mother told reporters that the family has sought the registration of a criminal case concerning allegedly forged birth documents that were reportedly used to alter the ages of Amber and her sister, Jennifer.
The family has presented a verified Family Registration Certificate that it says contradicts the disputed birth records.
Nadia Nadeem also said the family has filed a civil lawsuit seeking cancellation of the marriage certificate and a declaration that the marriage is illegal and void.
Advocates Call for Stronger Protection
Joseph Janssen said the case illustrates the vulnerability of religious-minority girls when allegations of abduction, forced conversion and child marriage intersect.
He called on law-enforcement agencies and the judiciary to ensure that child-protection laws are applied equally, regardless of a child's religion.
Akmal Bhatti of Minorities Alliance Pakistan pointed to the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act 2026, which provides stronger legal protections for children and criminalizes child marriage and related offenses.
Bhatti argued that when credible allegations of abduction, grooming, coercion or intimidation exist, a child's statement or alleged consent should not alone determine custody or protection.
Other advocates called for an independent investigation into the allegations, including claims of forced conversion, abduction, child marriage, sexual exploitation and the alleged fabrication of documents.
Wider Concerns Over Forced Conversion
Amber’s case comes amid broader concerns over allegations involving Christian and other religious-minority girls in Pakistan.
A report presented by Jubilee Campaign at the European Parliament in July documented 210 cases involving alleged abduction, forced religious conversion, child marriage and sexual violence against Christian and other minority girls between 2019 and 2025. According to the report, more than 83 percent of the documented victims were under 18, with the average age of victims reported at 12.8 years.
Advocates say Amber’s case highlights the urgent need for effective enforcement of child-protection laws and safeguards to ensure that vulnerable minors can communicate with courts freely and without pressure.
Christian Persecution Relief Pakistan (CPRP) is deeply concerned by the continued developments in the case of Amber Nadeem and the decision to place a 13-year-old Christian girl in the custody of a man accused of abducting, forcibly converting and coercing her into marriage.
When the age of a child, the authenticity of official documents and the circumstances surrounding an alleged conversion and marriage remain disputed, authorities must place the safety and best interests of the child above all other considerations. A minor should not be exposed to an environment where she may face further intimidation, pressure or coercion.
CPRP respectfully calls upon the Punjab government, police and judiciary to conduct a transparent and impartial investigation into Amber’s case, examine the disputed documentation, and ensure that she receives independent legal representation and genuine protection. Her voice must be heard freely, without threats or religious pressure.
We further urge Pakistani authorities to strengthen the protection of Christian and other religious-minority children and to ensure that child-protection laws are applied equally to every child. The safety, dignity and future of a child must never be compromised because of her faith.