A shocking incident of abduction forced conversion, and marriage involving a young Christian girl has unfolded in Lahore, Pakistan.

In Lahore, a 12-year-old Christian girl was kidnapped by her Muslim neighbor, who forcibly converted her to Islam and presented a fake marriage certificate, the Christian Post reported.

On January 5, 2025, Muhammad Ali, a 35-year-old resident of Walton Model Colony No. 2 in Lahore Cantonment, abducted Saba Shafique, the daughter of his Christian neighbor, sparking significant concern among local communities and human rights observers.

After abducting Saba, Ali took her to Shaheed Benazirabad in Sindh Province, where he attempted to legalize the union by presenting a forged marriage certificate dated January 8. The document falsely stated that Saba was 18, though she was born on May 16, 2012, making her only 12.

Saba's father, Shafique Masih, disputed the validity of the documents, arguing that his daughter's physical maturity proved the listed age was inaccurate.

Concerns Over Document Discrepancies and Police Report Errors

Further complicating the matter, the local police inaccurately recorded Saba's age as between 15 and 16 years in their First Information Report (FIR), despite her father's protests. Masih was informed by the police that this misstatement could potentially strengthen the case against the kidnapping.

Masih's lawyer, Rana Irfan, has since applied to correct her age on official records according to her birth certificate. However, despite these efforts, law enforcement has shown sluggishness in their response.

Masih expressed his frustration about the lack of progress. "The police told me that they needed official permission to go to Sindh Province to recover Saba, but three weeks have passed and there’s no progress in the matter," he lamented.

Legal Battles and Advocacy Efforts Intensify

In response to the situation, Muhammad Ali sought legal protection to uphold the forced marriage, filing a petition in the Hyderabad Sessions Court. Meanwhile, the lack of movement in the police's investigation prompted Masih to visit the police station daily, pleading for more decisive action.

"My lawyer, Rana Irfan, has applied to rectify her age as per her birth certificate," Masih explained, indicating their determination to correct the record and bring Saba home.

"I’m sure that when Saba is rescued from Ali’s illegal custody, she will state the truth about her abduction," Masih stated, hopeful for her return and revealing the truth under less coercive conditions.

Community Outcry Over Forced Conversions

Christian lawmaker Ejaz Augustine and Bishop Azad Marshall have both commented on the broader issue of forced conversions in Punjab. Augustine criticized the ongoing delay in passing a bill aimed at criminalizing child marriages, a piece of legislation that has been stuck since April 2024.

"Forced conversions and marriages of minor girls have become a serious crisis for the Christian community," Augustine stated, emphasizing the gravity of the situation facing minority communities in the region.

Bishop Marshall pointed out the legislative inaction: "Raising the minimum age for marriage to 18 is a safeguard against child marriages and forced conversions. There’s no reason why the government should keep the bill pending as it may help in curbing the abductions and forced conversions of Christian girls."

Rising Trends of Abductions Highlighted in Reports

The Center for Social Justice recorded 136 cases of abduction and forced conversion in 2023 alone. This pattern reveals tense interfaith relations and exposes critical human rights issues within the country, which the 2024 Open Doors World Watch List ranked as the seventh most difficult place to be a Christian.

Saba Shafique’s case exemplifies the disturbing trend of religious and societal tensions in Pakistan, where authorities fail to enforce legal safeguards for minorities, leaving many similar cases inadequately addressed.

As international and domestic voices continue demanding justice and protection for minority rights, authorities have yet to resolve Saba's case. Her community and family remain hopeful for her safe and immediate return.