United Nations experts have expressed serious concern over what they describe as a persistent and widespread pattern of abduction and forced religious conversion through marriage targeting women and girls from minority communities in Pakistan. The experts said that weak enforcement of laws and “impunity” are allowing these abuses to continue.
They stressed that “any change of religion or belief must be genuinely free from coercion, and marriage must be based on full and free consent,” adding that such consent is impossible in the case of children.
Majority Victims Reported as Hindu and Christian Girls
According to the experts, in 2025 nearly 75% of reported victims of forced conversion through marriage were Hindu girls, while around 25% were Christian. Almost 80% of incidents were reported from Sindh province.
They also noted that adolescent girls between 14 and 18 years old are most frequently targeted, with some cases involving even younger children. Many victims come from poor and marginalised backgrounds, making them more vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and social stigma.
The experts said these girls often experience “physical and sexual violence, coercion, loss of freedom, and severe psychological trauma.”
Call for Legal Reforms and Stronger Protection Laws
The UN experts urged Pakistan to take urgent steps to address the issue, including raising the minimum legal marriage age to 18 across all provinces and criminalising forced religious conversion as a separate offence.
They also called for strict enforcement of laws against human trafficking and sexual violence, and demanded that all cases be investigated promptly and fairly.
The experts said they were concerned that law enforcement authorities often dismiss complaints from victims’ families or fail to properly investigate cases, including verifying the age of victims.
Demand for Justice and Victim Support Systems
The statement further called for perpetrators of forced conversion and marriage to be brought to justice without delay. The experts highlighted the need for strong support systems for survivors, including safe shelters, legal aid, psychological counselling, and reintegration programmes.
They stressed that protection mechanisms must be “child-sensitive and gender-responsive” to ensure effective recovery and safety for victims.
Systemic Issues Highlighted Behind the Abuse
The UN experts linked the persistence of these abuses to deeper structural issues, including gender inequality, poverty, discrimination against religious minorities, and entrenched social intolerance.
They said Pakistan has not taken enough action to address these root causes, allowing forced conversions and related abuses to continue unchecked.
Reiterating their position, the UN experts said, “Freedom of religion or belief and equality must be ensured for all without discrimination.” They warned that without stronger legal reforms and enforcement, vulnerable minority women and girls will continue to face serious human rights violations.
