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Amid growing criticism over a recent judicial decision, Dr Paul Jacob Bhatti has called on the government to constitute an independent parliamentary commission to investigate cases of forced religious conversion and child marriage involving minority girls, as reported by Geo News.
According to Geo News, in his statement, Dr Bhatti, who heads the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, described the issue as deeply alarming, warning that repeated incidents of coerced conversions and underage marriages are eroding fundamental rights, including freedom of belief, child protection, and human dignity. His remarks come in the wake of nationwide protests triggered by a controversial verdict delivered by Pakistan's Federal Constitutional Court. The ruling, issued by a two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Muhammad Karim Khan Agha, declared a 13-year-old girl to be of "sufficient maturity," placing her in the custody of her alleged husband, a 30-year-old man, and recognising her conversion to Islam as lawful under Sharia law. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from legal experts, civil society organisations, and child rights activists. Despite the girl's parents presenting official documents proving her minor status, the court dismissed the evidence. The family has been pursuing legal recourse since her reported abduction in July 2025. A subsequent probe ordered by a sessions court reportedly found the marriage certificate to be forged, with local authorities confirming that no official registration of the union exists. Nevertheless, the higher court upheld the marriage, a move critics argue could embolden perpetrators and further endanger minority communities, as cited by Geo News. Dr Bhatti emphasised that minors cannot legally or ethically provide informed consent in matters of religion or marriage. He insisted that any such cases must undergo independent and transparent scrutiny to ensure legitimacy. He also urged authorities to revisit the court's ruling in light of Pakistan's constitutional commitments and its obligations under international conventions on child rights. He further proposed establishing an autonomous review body comprising human rights experts, legal professionals, religious representatives, and child protection specialists to ensure impartial investigations and safeguard victims, as reported by Geo News. (ANI)
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