Outrage for Christian girl in Pakistan

A government ruling at the end of March sparked national protests defending a 13-year-old Christian girl who was forced to return to her abductor, a Muslim man. Please pray for Maria Shabaz, her family and for the church in Pakistan at this key moment.

The recent decision of the Federal Constitutional Court to send a Christian girl back to live with her captor has sparked outrage across Pakistan. The ruling was shared on 25 March and sent a wave throughout the nation, causing protests and the formation of a 37-member national consultative committee to review the case and current legislation around forced conversions and marriages. 

Dating back to July 2025, the issue was first raised by the father of 13-year-old Maria Shabaz, who filed a petition to rescue his daughter after she had been abducted that month, then aged 12. She was then forcibly converted and married to a 30-year-old Muslim man. The battle lasted months until 25 March, when the ruling shattered all hopes of Maria’s parents receiving back their daughter. 

However, since the decision by the court, a national outcry has erupted, including condemnation from Christian rights advocates and civil society groups. These bodies state that the court disregarded key evidence and prior findings suggesting that the marriage was unlawful.  

The legal age for marriage varies across Pakistan; in the involved region, Punjab, the legal age is 16 for girls and 18 for boys. However, Christian girls are particularly vulnerable to forced marriage regardless of their age and region. 

• Why is Pakistan number eight on the World Watch List? 

A call for justice 

“Praise God for the body of Christ in Pakistan,” an Open Doors Advocacy spokesperson shares. “Their courage in standing for vulnerable girls is a clear call for the global church to rise, both in voice and in prayer. 

“We urge the Government of Pakistan to take immediate action to protect all minors, regardless of religion or belief. A judgment of this nature from a constitutional court sets a deeply concerning precedent and risks shaping similar decisions in lower courts. We call for urgent justice and continue to pray for protection, accountability and decisive action. Any delay will leave more girls at risk of forced conversion and sexual abuse.”