A civil court in Pakistan has ruled in favor of an 18-year-old Christian girl, Shahida Bibi, nullifying her forced marriage and granting her the right to return to her father and practice her faith freely.
Bibi was only 11 years old when her mother left home to marry a Muslim man, who later handed her over to his brother. Over the years, Bibi bore two children with her captor. When she turned 18, he officially formalized the marriage through an Islamic Nikah, a move that allowed him to evade Pakistan’s anti-child marriage laws.
However, in February 2025, a court in Bahawalpur ruled to dissolve the marriage, recognizing it as forced. Additionally, the court instructed authorities to issue new identification documents, reinstating her religion as Christianity.
The legal battle was supported by ADF International, a global human rights organization advocating for religious minorities. Tehmina Arora, ADF’s Director of Advocacy for Asia, welcomed the decision, stating:
“We are grateful that Shahida Bibi has received justice over her captor. Shahida is now free and able to begin the process of healing from this ordeal.”
The issue of forced conversions and marriages remains a significant challenge for religious minorities in Pakistan. According to ADF International, over 1,000 girls from Christian and Hindu communities are forcibly converted to Islam and married off each year. Many victims face threats against themselves and their families, making escape nearly impossible.
Globally, concerns over Pakistan’s human rights record continue to grow. The European Union has warned that failure to address forced conversions, religious persecution, and other human rights violations could affect Pakistan’s trade benefits under its GSP+ status, which provides preferential access to European markets. Similarly, U.S. lawmakers and human rights organizations are calling for reforms to protect religious freedom and safeguard vulnerable communities.
Bibi’s case marks a significant legal victory, shedding light on the broader issue of forced marriages and conversions in Pakistan.
