Concerns raised over alleged forced conversion of Pakistani teenager

A 15-year-old Christian boy, Sagar Masih, is at the center of a legal dispute in Sheikhupura, Pakistan, after his parents reported he was pressured into converting to Islam. Masih, who worked in a local factory to support his family, allegedly faced inducements and pressure from adults to abandon his faith. His parents sought help after he failed to return home, eventually identifying him in video footage alongside Islamic clerics.

The Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) has intervened, highlighting the vulnerability of underage workers to religious exploitation. Nasir Saeed, director of CLAAS-UK, emphasized that the case must be treated as a child protection matter, calling for a thorough investigation into whether the conversion was coerced. While the family maintains that their son is being held against his will, the matter is now pending a court decision. The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of forced conversions among minority youth in Pakistan, with advocates urging authorities to ensure that religious choices are made without external influence or exploitation.