Photo: Flickr / European Union (CC)
In a ruling being lauded as a "powerful win for justice," the Lahore High Court has ordered that a 13-year-old Christian girl be immediately returned to her parents. This decision was announced on January 12th, two weeks after she was abducted while walking along a street. The kidnapping incident took place on December 29th when Aneeqa left her home in Sheikhupura to purchase groceries for her family. Following the incident, the girl's abductor – a man identified as Aslam – falsified her age, claimed that she had converted to Islam, and then forced her to marry him.
Thankfully, the court acted quickly when presented with the facts. After reviewing official records verifying Aneeqa's true age, the judge immediately declared the marriage void. As a minor, she is considered legally incapable of consenting to marriage or changing her religious status. The court ordered that she be removed at once from the custody of her kidnapper and safely returned to her parents. A warrant was also issued for Aslam’s arrest.
Commenting on the ruling, Nasir Saeed from CLAAS-UK stressed the importance of "timely and decisive judicial intervention" in order to "prevent irreversible harm and...uphold the rule of law." Aneeqa's parents expressed heartfelt appreciation to the judge and legal advocates who ensured the safe return of their daughter.
Within various levels of Pakistan's government, efforts are underway to introduce legislation aimed at curtailing the forcible conversions and marriages of underage girls belonging to religious minorities. Despite these endeavours, however, such cases have continued to occur. Additional reports concerning the vulnerable members of Pakistan's Christian communities can be reviewed at our country profile.
- Praise God for this timely intervention of justice, thanks to the swift actions of the Lahore High Court to recover Aneeqa and safely return the abducted young teen to her concerned family.
- Pray that this victimized girl will fully recover from the trauma she has endured throughout the kidnapping ordeal.
- May God's message of repentance, forgiveness and redemption take root and bear much good spiritual fruit in the nation of Pakistan, changing hearts and bringing many to faith in Christ.
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