In a positive legal victory, a 14-year-old Christian girl, Ariha, of Okara, Punjab, has been returned to the custody of her parents after her abduction, forced conversion and the illegal marriage of a minor.
On 20 January, Ariha was abducted at gunpoint from her home by Sajjad Baloch, a 40-year-old Muslim neighbour, along with two accomplices. Her mother, Sumera Bibi, witnessed the abduction and was later threatened that if the family pursued legal action, Ariha would be sold into sex trafficking. The family, poor and powerless, feared they would never see their daughter again.
Held captive for months, Ariha was pressured to declare that she had converted to Islam and married her abductor of her own free will. Despite this, a legal team stood firmly with the family – collecting evidence and submitting official government documents to prove her actual age.
Thankfully, on 7 April, the Lahore High Court, under the leadership of Justice Shahram Sarwar, ruled in favour of the family and ordered that Ariha be returned to her mother. The judge recognised Ariha as a minor and rejected the claim of marriage on the basis of her age.
This is a rare and significant legal victory. In many similar cases, courts have accepted claims under Shariah law and allowed young girls to remain with their alleged abductors. But this landmark decision sets a powerful precedent – and may help pave the way for justice in other cases like Ariha’s.
Due to safety concerns, Ariha will not return to her home in Okara. She is now in a secure temporary residence, where she is receiving support for her healing journey, including counselling and daily needs. Legal steps are now underway to annul the forced marriage through a petition of jactitation.
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