The United Nations experts have raised serious concerns over what they describe as ongoing and widespread cases of abduction and forced religious conversion through marriage in Pakistan. These incidents largely affect women and girls from minority communities. According to the experts, the persistence of such cases is being enabled by a lack of accountability, and they have called for urgent legal and institutional action to address the issue.

The experts highlighted that in 2025, nearly 75 per cent of the women and girls subjected to forced conversion through marriage were from the Hindu community, while 25 per cent were Christian. A significant number of these cases were reported from Sindh province, which alone accounted for around 80 per cent of the incidents. The data also shows that adolescent girls between the ages of 14 and 18 are the primary targets. In some cases, even younger children have been reported as victims, which further deepens the concern.

The experts stressed that such conversions and marriages cannot be considered valid under any circumstances involving coercion or minors. They clearly stated, “Any change of religion or belief must be genuinely free from coercion, and marriage must be based on full and free consent, which is not legally possible when the victim is a child." This highlights the serious legal and ethical violations involved in these cases.

Victims of such forced conversions and marriages often go through severe hardship. The experts noted that many face physical and sexual abuse, along with exploitation. Beyond that, they also suffer from social stigma and long-term psychological trauma. These factors make recovery extremely difficult and underline the need for proper support systems.

In response to the situation, the UN experts have reiterated their call for Pakistan to take stronger steps to eliminate forced conversions. One of their key recommendations is to raise the minimum legal age for marriage to 18 across all provinces and territories. They also urged the government to make forced religious conversion a separate criminal offence. Additionally, they called for stricter enforcement of existing laws related to human trafficking and sexual violence.

Another major concern raised by the experts is the role of law enforcement agencies. They pointed out that authorities often fail to act effectively on complaints filed by victims’ families. In many cases, complaints are dismissed, investigations are delayed, or the age of the victim is not properly verified. Such lapses weaken the justice system and allow perpetrators to escape accountability. The experts have urged authorities to ensure prompt, impartial, and thorough investigations into all reported cases and to bring those responsible to justice.

The experts also emphasised the importance of providing proper support to survivors. They called for comprehensive services such as safe shelters, legal assistance, psychological counselling, and reintegration programmes. These measures are essential to help victims recover and rebuild their lives. They further stressed the need for protection systems that are sensitive to both children and gender-related issues.

According to the UN experts, the government of Pakistan has not done enough to address the deeper causes behind these incidents. They pointed to factors such as gender inequality, poverty, discrimination against religious minorities, religious intolerance, and a culture of impunity. These underlying issues continue to create an environment where such practices can occur.

In conclusion, the experts stressed the importance of protecting fundamental rights. They stated, “Freedom of religion or belief and equality must be ensured for all without discrimination." Their remarks underline the urgency of ensuring justice, protection, and equal rights for all individuals, especially vulnerable women and girls from minority communities.