Islamabad, February 4, 2026 – The recent decision by Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) to allow a 12-year-old Christian girl, Maria Shahbaz, to remain with her alleged Muslim husband, Shehryar Ahmad, has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights groups and faith-based organizations. Critics say the ruling disregards the girl’s age, her religious rights, and protections against child marriage.
Maria, abducted on July 29, 2025, forcibly converted to Islam, and married by the 30-year-old Ahmad, was the subject of a prolonged legal battle initiated by her parents. Despite repeated pleas from the family and legal authorities to intervene, the FCC recently allowed Maria to stay with Ahmad, citing the girl’s claim that she had married of her “own free will” and was capable of making decisions about her life.
Legal experts and child protection advocates have strongly criticized the ruling, highlighting that Maria is only 12 years old – far below the internationally recognized age of consent and Pakistan’s own laws regarding child marriage. “The court’s decision sets a dangerous precedent, essentially legalizing child abduction, forced conversion, and underage marriage under the guise of consent,” said Farzana Imran, leader of LEAD Ministries.
Sardar Mushtaq Gill, Founder of LEAD Ministries, expressed deep concern over the implications of the judgment. “It is unacceptable that Christian girls are being forcibly converted to Islam and married off at such a young age. The law must protect children and religious minorities, not facilitate their exploitation,” he said. He questioned whether interpretations of Islamic Sharia were influencing legal decisions that allow child marriages, even involving girls as young as nine, in violation of international human rights norms.
Parents are weeping and crying, with no one to help them get back their minor daughters. The pain can only be understood by the parents themselves, and this tragedy has created a fear of insecurity in the minds of the Christian community as a whole in Pakistan. Pastor Imran Amanat has called on the public to pray for such victims and their families, urging society to support those affected by abductions, forced conversions, and child marriages.
LEAD Ministries, which has years of experience supporting vulnerable Christian families in Pakistan, announced that it will intensify programs to educate and mentor Christian women and girls. The organization plans to focus on faith-based empowerment, legal awareness, and family protection, ensuring that young girls are informed about their rights and equipped to defend their faith and personal safety.
“This case is a stark reminder of the urgent need to protect our children and communities,” Sardar Mushtaq Gill said. “We will continue to stand for our Christian sisters and ensure they have the knowledge, faith, and courage to resist coercion, conversion, or exploitation.”
The decision has sparked debates across Pakistan about the intersection of religious laws, child protection, and human rights. International child rights organizations have also called on the government to review the laws allowing child marriage and forced religious conversion, warning that the current legal framework endangers the most vulnerable members of society.
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