Pakistani court reopens investigation into Christian girl's forced marriage case

A Pakistani high court has ordered police to reopen an investigation into the case of a 13-year-old Christian girl who was allegedly kidnapped, forced to convert to Islam, and married to a 30-year-old man.

Maria Shahbaz was abducted in July 2025 and remains in the custody of her alleged abductor, according to an Oct. 13 press release from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International.

The ruling follows a petition from Shahbaz's family challenging a district court's March decision to close the police investigation. The family alleged that police withheld evidence showing her age had been falsified in marriage and conversion documents.

Tehmina Arora, ADF International's director of advocacy for Asia, urged swift action to secure Shahbaz's release.

“It is essential that the court investigate and urgently rule in Maria’s case. Every day that she is left with her abductor exposes her to further exploitation and abuse,” she said. “A decision to free her and hold her kidnapper accountable will set a precedent for all young girls in Pakistan who are vulnerable to the widespread pattern of abductions, forced conversions, and coerced marriages that we see throughout Pakistan every year.”

In February, Pakistan's Federal Constitutional Court ruled that Shahbaz would remain in Ahmad's custody without verifying her age. Investigators, however, had found she was a minor and that her marriage certificate was forged, according to ADF International, which noted that minors cannot legally consent to marriage or religious conversion.

In July, the Federal Constitutional Court agreed to hear a petition seeking review of its February ruling.

ADF International said falsified marriage and conversion documents have been used in other cases to prevent families from regaining custody of their daughters. The issue has also drawn concern from United Nations experts and European lawmakers, according to the release.

ADF International cited similar cases, including that of 16-year-old Reeha Saleem, whose forced marriage was annulled in 2024 following a legal challenge.

In Punjab province, where Shahbaz's case is being heard, legislation passed in 2026 raised the minimum marriage age to 18.

Kelsey Zorzi, ADF International's director of advocacy for global religious freedom, welcomed the decision to reopen the investigation as a sign of progress.

She said, “We have begun to see small steps to combat forced marriages and conversions of minority girls in Pakistan, and the court’s decision to reopen the investigation is another promising move.”