Report exposes forced conversions through marriages

ISLAMABAD:

The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), in collaboration with the Legal Aid Society (LAS), on Monday launched a research report and documentary examining the drivers of forced conversions through marriages (FCM) and their impact on survivors, minority communities, and wider society.

The launch took place at a national dialogue in Islamabad, which brought together legal experts, rights activists, and criminal justice professionals to discuss practical steps for tackling the issue. Justice Dr Syed Muhammad Anwer attended the ceremony as a chief guest.

The report, presented by LAS Director Maliha Zia, draws on survivors’ testimonies and clarifies the concepts of ‘force’ and ‘consent’ in cases of FCM.

It categorises the motivations of perpetrators — including religious and ideological factors, trafficking, as well as the vulnerabilities of survivors, particularly women and girls from minority communities. A documentary by filmmaker Aisha Gazdar was also screened highlighting the human dimension of forced conversions and marriages.

NCHR Chairperson Rabiya Javeri Agha said the practice is a ‘deeply entrenched problem’ in Pakistan, disproportionately affecting girls and women from minority communities despite constitutional safeguards.

She noted that the commission has taken suo motu notices in several cases where minor girls were abducted, forcibly converted, and married to their abductors. In some instances, they were provided relief through NCHR’s intervention.

CEO LAS Haya Emaan Zahid warned that survivors of FCM often face severe psychological trauma, physical and sexual abuse, and social stigma. “This practice not only devastates individuals but also undermines communal solidarity and damages the culture,” she said.

The event concluded with a panel discussion where experts and activists exchanged insights and stressed the need for stronger protection mechanisms to safeguard the rights of minorities in Pakistan.