Christian leader condemns kidnapping of minor Christian girl and forced conversion
ICC Note:
Timiar Shahzadi, a Christian 14 year old girl, was kidnapped in Islamabad, Pakistan by a group of Muslim men while returning from school on October 22, the Pakistan Christian Post reports. The kidnappings of Christian girls in Pakistan have become routine in recent months and are often accompanied by acts of extreme violence, including rape, beatings, and other forms of physical and mental abuse. Once abducted, the girls are often never heard from by their families again.
11/19/2012 Pakistan (Pakistan Christian Post)- Timar Shahzadi on Monday afternoon, 22-10-2012, with her friends, was kidnapped by some Muslim men while returning school.
It’s doubted that the girl could be forcefully converted to Muslim and married, if the immediate step is not taken. Her family reported the incident to the police station Koral, Islamabad, but police have not conducted any investigation. Malik Muhammad Nawaz Sub Inspector is investigating the matter.
Her father Amjad Masih told that the girl is a minor and according to the law, marriage is not permitted to minors. But if the kidnapper did in its powerful ways and manages to also bypass this legal measure.
MPA Saleem Khokhar in his statement strongly condemn the kidnapping of Timar Shahzadi 14 Christian Girl. He demanded to the Government for immediate release of Timar Shazadi as well human rights and women rights organization to help Mr. Amjad Masih in finding her daughter
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He further said that the parents from religious minorities are in fear, and most of the parents have discontinued their daughter’s education due to the fear of kindling, forced conversion and forced marriages.
He once again requested to Minister Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Pakistan, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Federal Minister for National Harmony, Minister for Religious Affairs Government of Sindh, Minister for Minorities, Government of Sindh to take immediate measures upon his recommendation for Bill on Forced Conversion and Forced Marriages and the said Bill may be passed as soon as possible.
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