Life & Family
Pakistan court to review ruling in forced conversion and child marriage case
The Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan will review a previous ruling regarding Maria Shahbaz, a 13-year-old Christian girl who was abducted, forcibly converted to Islam, and married to her abductor.
Kelsey Zorzi, the director of advocacy for Global Religious Freedom at Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, stated that Shahbaz has remained with her abductor, Shehryar Ahmad, since her abduction in July 2025. The court previously allowed Shahbaz to stay with Ahmad after officials declined to verify her age using her birth certificate, instead deciding she appeared older than 13.
ADF International is supporting the case and calling for an end to forced marriages and conversions in Pakistan.
AI-assisted briefing based on the sources below.Sources behind this story
- Official source@satodaycatholicPakistan court to review ruling in forced conversion and child marriage case
Archdiocese of San Antonio
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