Sialkot: A distressing case of abduction has surfaced in the Muradpur police jurisdiction of Sialkot, where an 14-year-old Christian girl, Saneha Sharif, was allegedly kidnapped with the intention of forced conversion and exploitation. The incident has sparked outrage within the Christian community, prompting urgent calls for justice from human rights activists and religious leaders.
According to the First Information Report lodged by the
victim's father, Sharif Masih, the abduction took place on January 9, 2025,
when a group of individuals, including Samina (wife of Muhammad Usman),
Muhammad Dildar Hassnain and Muhammad Shabbir allegedly conspired to abduct the
young woman. Eyewitness Rehan Masih a local resident, reported that he saw the
suspects forcibly placing the girl into a vehicle before fleeing the scene. Law
enforcement responded swiftly, arresting Muhammad Shabbir, who is now under a
six-day physical remand for interrogation. Another suspect, Samina, has been
taken into custody and transferred to the District Jail in Sialkot.
Despite these arrests, the remaining accused individuals are
still at large. The police have intensified their efforts to apprehend the
fugitives and recover the abducted girl. The victim’s parents have issued a
heartfelt plea to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the Inspector General
of Punjab Police to immediately recover their daughter and bring all suspects
to justice. They have expressed grave concerns over the rising cases of forced
conversions and kidnappings of Christian and other minority women in Pakistan.
The case has drawn widespread condemnation from Christian
leaders and human rights organizations. Dr. Adil Ghori, Chairman of the
Christian Awakening Movement, District President Naseer Khokhar, and City
General Secretary Roshni Ghori met with police officials, demanding urgent
action. They emphasized the systematic pattern of minority girls being abducted
and urged authorities to take swift action. Dr. Adil Ghori stated, “This is not
an isolated incident. The abduction of Christian and Hindu girls is becoming
increasingly common, and the government must act now to put an end to this
injustice. We demand the immediate recovery of Saneha and strict punishment for
the culprits.”
The abduction and forced conversion of minority women and
girls is a serious human rights violation in Pakistan, often leading to coerced
marriages and threats against victims’ families. Although Section 365-B of the
Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) criminalizes the kidnapping of women for forced
marriages, legal experts argue that enforcement is weak and perpetrators
frequently escape justice. The Punjab Child Protection and Welfare Bureau has
taken notice of the case, calling for stronger enforcement of child protection
and women’s rights laws to prevent such incidents in the future.
In response to growing public pressure, local police have
assured that all remaining suspects will be arrested, and efforts to recover Saneha
are underway. A special police task force has been assigned to locate the
missing girl and ensure her safe return. The case has once again ignited
debates about the safety and rights of religious minorities in Pakistan,
particularly Christian and Hindu women who are often targeted for forced
conversions.
The abduction of Saneha Sharif has sent shockwaves through
the Christian community in Sialkot and beyond. Her family, alongside human
rights activists, continue to demand swift justice, accountability, and
stronger legal protections for religious minorities. As police investigations
progress, all eyes remain on whether Pakistan’s justice system will ensure a
fair outcome or if this case will become another statistic in the rising tide
of minority oppression.