Pakistan Court Upholds Custody of 13-Year-Old Christian Girl After Alleged Forced Conversion and Marriage
March 26, 2026
A controversial court ruling in Pakistan granting custody of 13-year-old Christian girl Maria Shahbaz to her alleged abductor has ignited global outrage, raising serious concerns over forced conversions, child marriage, and judicial accountability. Critics warn the decision not only undermines legal protections for minors and religious minorities but also reflects a broader pattern of coercion and impunity faced by vulnerable communities in the country.
A recent court ruling in Pakistan has sparked widespread outrage among human rights advocates and minority communities after custody of a 13-year-old Christian girl, Maria Shahbaz, was granted to a 30-year-old Muslim man accused of abducting, forcibly converting, and marrying her.
Case Background:
Maria Shahbaz was reportedly abducted on July 29, 2025, in Lahore. Her father, Shahbaz Masih, immediately filed a police report, alleging kidnapping. However, within days, authorities claimed that Maria had appeared before a magistrate stating she had converted to Islam and married Shehryar Ahmad voluntarily.
Since then, her family has pursued multiple legal avenues to regain custody, arguing that she is a minor and that her statements were made under coercion.
The Court’s Decision:
On March 25, 2026, the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) issued a detailed judgment upholding its earlier short order from February 3. The bench, comprising Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Muhammad Karim Khan Agha, ruled that:
Maria was of “mature age”
Her conversion to Islam was valid
Her marriage to Shehryar Ahmad was lawful under Islamic law
She should remain in the custody of her “husband”
The court dismissed official birth records presented by the family, labeling them “unreliable” due to alleged inconsistencies and delays in registration with National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
In its reasoning, the court emphasized that under Islamic principles, conversion requires only a declaration of faith, and no formal ritual is necessary.
Controversy Over Age and Consent:
A central issue in the case was Maria’s age. Her family maintained she was 12 at the time of the alleged marriage, supported by official documentation. However, the court:
Questioned the credibility of these documents
Cited discrepancies in family records
Relied in part on her physical appearance in court
Critics argue this approach undermines legal safeguards for minors and sets a dangerous precedent. The court ignored critical evidence, including:
Police reinvestigation findings
Testimony confirming the marriage certificate was fabricated
The absence of official marriage records at the union council
It is also important to note that Maria had remained in the custody of the accused for over six months, raising serious concerns about coercion.
Allegations of Police Inaction:
The case has also drawn scrutiny toward law enforcement. Despite the restoration of the First Information Report (FIR) and additional charges following reinvestigation, police reportedly failed to arrest the accused.
Chaudhry described this as evidence of “collusion,” noting that the suspect continued to appear in court freely without seeking pre-arrest bail.
Human Rights Concerns:
International and local rights groups have strongly condemned the ruling.
Christian Persecution Relief Pakistan strongly condemned the court’s decision, describing it as “deeply concerning and profoundly alarming,” and warning that it reflects a dangerous erosion of justice and minority protections. The organization emphasized that:
Courts must not infer legal consent from a minor based solely on verbal statements, particularly in circumstances where coercion is highly probable
Minority girls are frequently subjected to intimidation and pressure, leading to forced or manipulated declarations presented as “voluntary”
The dismissal of official birth records and documentary evidence severely undermines the rule of law and weakens already fragile child protection mechanisms
The validation of such unions effectively legitimizes child marriage under the cover of religious interpretation
The ruling fails to meaningfully address serious criminal allegations, including abduction, unlawful confinement, and coercion
It sets a troubling precedent that risks eroding constitutional safeguards designed to protect religious minorities
This case is not isolated but part of a broader, deeply entrenched pattern in which vulnerable minority girls are targeted, exploited, and denied justice
Such judgments not only deny justice in individual cases but also embolden perpetrators, signaling impunity in crimes against minority communities.
Human rights advocates emphasize that this case reflects a recurring pattern in Pakistan:
Minority girls, particularly Christians and Hindus, are abducted
Victims are forcibly converted and married
Statements of “consent” are often obtained under pressure
Courts frequently validate such marriages and return victims to alleged abductors
Some reports indicate victims can be as young as 10 years old.
Legal Contradictions
The ruling also highlights contradictions within Pakistan’s legal framework:
The minimum marriage age in Punjab remains 16 for girls
A 2025 law raised the minimum age to 18 in Islamabad
The Christian Marriage (Amendment) Act 2024 sets 18 as the minimum for Christians
However, once a Christian girl converts to Islam, she is treated under Islamic law, which can allow marriage at a younger age.
This dual legal system creates loopholes that critics say are exploited in cases like Maria’s.
International Ranking and Minority Rights:
According to Open Doors, Pakistan ranks 8th on the 2026 World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most severe persecution.
Advocates warn that rulings like this may:
Encourage perpetrators
Weaken trust in the judicial system
Increase vulnerability of minority communities
What Comes Next:
Maria Shahbaz’s family and their legal team have indicated plans to challenge the ruling before a larger bench. Rights groups are also calling for:
Judicial review of the decision
Stronger child protection laws
Clear legal provisions invalidating child marriages
Accountability for police and officials
As the case continues, it remains a critical test of Pakistan’s commitment to protecting its most vulnerable citizens, particularly minority girls at risk of exploitation under the cover of religion and marriage.