The National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) and the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) held a high-level consultation with key stakeholders, including legislators and civil society, to address the pressing issues of forced conversions, early and forced marriages. The discussion was led by Ayesha Raza Farooq, Chairperson NCRC, alongside Peter Jacob, Executive Director of CSJ, Allah Dino Khowaja, Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights, Zeb Jaffar (MNA), Senator Saba Sadiq, Former Senator Farhatullah Babar, and Lindsey High Advocate.
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Speaking on the occasion, Ayesha Raza Farooq, Chairperson NCRC, highlighted: “Both forced conversions and child marriages are deeply entrenched issues in our society, disproportionately affecting girls and religious minorities. Despite the presence of legal frameworks, these violations persist, exposing gaps in implementation, enforcement, and protection mechanisms. Societal pressures, legal loopholes, and insufficient awareness of the rights are the contributing factors to these injustices.” She further added, “Today’s consultation seeks to address these gaps and develop recommendations to strengthen child protection measures across Pakistan. Our goal is to explore legal safeguards, review existing laws, and propose reforms to enhance the protection of vulnerable groups. The insights gathered here will be critical in shaping our future advocacy and policy efforts.” She observed that the empirical evidence, including ongoing efforts and court cases, demonstrates that complaints about forced conversions and marriages, particularly from minority communities, are credible.
Peter Jacob, Executive Director, CSJ stated that although successive governments have made efforts to bring about awareness and introduce safeguards, yet the consistent reports regarding involuntary and forced conversions and marriages remain a challenge. He also stressed the severity of the issue, citing data from the Centre for Social Justice: “Between 2021 and 2023, at least 338 cases of abduction and forced conversions of minority girls and women were reported in Pakistan. These violations not only damage the lives of individuals but also stir frustration and anger among minority communities. Both the government and civil society must take concrete measures to address these human rights violations through robust legal measures.
Allah Dino Khowaja, Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights, emphasized the need to raise the legal marriage age and ensure that no child is forced into marriage before the age of 18: “There is no justification for opposing the increase in the legal marriage age. We must understand that no consent should be taken from a girl under 18 for marriage, even if she appears willing. The legal safeguards must be enforced uniformly, as this is not just a minority issue, but a child protection issue that affects all Pakistani children.” He also proposed further legal reforms: “There should be a legal mechanism to give girls time and space to reconsider their decisions following conversion, particularly regarding marriage.”
Former Senator Farhat Ullah Babar underscored the need for procedural reforms: “There must be a streamlined process for conversions, ensuring that those wishing to convert present their reasons before a court. Additionally, there should be accountability at the nikah khawan (marriage registrar) level, as change must begin at the ground level to effectively combat these issues.”
Pirbhu Satyani, Member Sindh/Minorities at NCRC, reiterated the international obligations Pakistan has undertaken: “Pakistan has received five recommendations under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), one of which calls for the protection of victims of forced conversions and ensuring their access to justice. Despite this, forced conversions have become a routine violation of religious freedom and fundamental human rights. There is an urgent need for effective protection mechanisms and accountability.”
At this juncture, the dignitaries including Federal Secretary Allah Dino Khowaja, Former Senator Farhat Ullah Babar, MNA Zeb Jaffar, and Senator Saba Sadiq were presented with shields of appreciation for their support concerning efforts for legal safeguards against forced conversions, early and forced marriage. Moreover, CSJ’s award-winning documentary film ‘Hum Saya – Neighbor’ was screened that received the “Best Short Documentary on Human Rights’’ at the Venice Intercultural Film Festival, and highlighted the ordeal of the families of minor girls who had been forcibly converted in various areas of Punjab.
The consultation concluded with a series of recommendations, including calls for proper legislation to address forced conversions, child and forced marriages. Participants stressed the need for establishing a statutory National Commission for Minorities Rights and ensuring that minorities are well represented in the Commission, placing greater accountability on individuals rather than institutions.
