Missing Christian Girl in Pakistan Feared Victim of Trafficking After Alleged Abduction and Forced Conversion
LAHORE, Pakistan — Human rights advocates and family members are expressing growing concern for the safety of a 13-year-old Christian girl who disappeared from Pakistan’s Punjab Province and is now feared to be at risk of trafficking following an alleged abduction, forced conversion, and marriage to a significantly older man.
Maryam Asif Masih, a resident of Vehari District, reportedly went missing on April 23, 2026. According to her family, she was taken by a 41-year-old married man who had previously gained the trust of her mother by offering to teach the child vocational skills that could help support the family’s financial needs.
Maryam’s mother, Maria Asif, stated that she learned of her daughter’s disappearance after returning home from work. The family immediately reported the case to local police and requested urgent action to recover the child. However, relatives allege that authorities failed to conduct an effective investigation during the critical early stages of the case.
Family Challenges Claims of Conversion and Marriage
The case took a troubling turn when reports emerged that Maryam had allegedly converted to Islam and entered into a marriage with the accused individual. According to documents cited by the family, Maryam reportedly appeared before a magistrate and stated that she was an adult acting of her own free will.
Her relatives strongly dispute those claims.
The family maintains that Maryam was born in November 2013 and is only 13 years old. They argue that official records clearly establish her age and that any purported conversion or marriage involving a child cannot be considered genuinely voluntary.
Human rights advocates have long warned that underage girls from religious minority communities in Pakistan are particularly vulnerable to abduction, coercive religious conversions, and forced marriages. International organizations and legal experts have repeatedly raised concerns about cases in which courts accept disputed age claims while families struggle to secure the return of minor children.
Fears of Human Trafficking
Maryam’s family now fears that she may be at risk of trafficking and exploitation. Relatives have reportedly raised concerns about allegations that the accused individual may have been involved in similar activities involving other vulnerable girls. These allegations have intensified calls for a thorough and independent investigation.
The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the protection of minority girls in Pakistan, particularly those from economically disadvantaged Christian families. Rights groups continue to document incidents in which families report difficulties obtaining timely police intervention after allegations of abduction and forced conversion.
Growing Calls for Accountability
Advocates for religious freedom and child protection are urging Pakistani authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation, verify the girl’s age through official documentation, ensure her safety, and uphold domestic and international child protection standards.
The case has renewed broader concerns regarding the vulnerability of religious minority girls to exploitation, forced marriage, and coercive conversion practices. Human rights organizations continue to call for stronger legal safeguards, effective law enforcement responses, and greater accountability in cases involving minors.
As Maryam’s family continues its search for answers, advocates say the priority must remain the protection, welfare, and fundamental rights of the child.