Pakistani Officials and Advocates Address Allegations of Forced Conversions

A Pakistani Senate committee recently convened to address growing concerns regarding the abduction, forced conversion, and marriage of minority girls. During the meeting, Senator Danesh Kumar challenged law enforcement officials over their handling of these cases, specifically highlighting the disappearance of 14-year-old Bindiya Kumari, who was allegedly abducted from Balochistan in mid-October.

Discussions focused on the influence of Mian Abdul Haq, also known as Mian Mitho, a religious figure in Sindh province. Minister of State for Religious Affairs Kesoo Mal Khael Das accused him of facilitating these forced conversions, a claim Haq has consistently denied, maintaining that all conversions are voluntary and that coercion is contrary to his interpretation of Islamic teachings. Committee members expressed concern that such figures operate with a level of impunity that functions as a "state within a state."

Christian human rights advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill of LEAD Ministries has called for an independent investigation into these practices. Gill emphasized that no individual, regardless of religious or political status, should be exempt from the law. Police officials have been directed to recover the missing teenager and are expected to provide a status report to the committee.