A Christian father whose 14-year-old daughter was kidnapped and forced to marry one of the captors claims police are making no effort to return her to her family.
Sataish Maryam was abducted during the night of Jan. 10–11 from her home in Chak 47/12-L village in Pakistan’s Punjab province, reports Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.
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Basharat Masih, the girl’s father, said neighbors saw three men take Maryam. He informed the police.
Days later, police contended she had willingly converted to Islam and married her 26-year-old captor, Ali Haider.
Family threatened
On Jan. 22, Haider’s relatives and other supporters were armed when they threatened to harm Masih and his family unless the complaint against Haider is withdrawn, Masih said. Masih filed a police report concerning the threat but no arrests resulted.
Masih asserts that police pressured Maryam to record a statement on Jan. 26 supportive of the marriage, states Christian Daily-Morning Star.
Even though documentation was presented to show Maryam is only 14, a court gave custody to the captor, Masih said.
Seeking new investigation
Christian Daily-Morning Star says a Christian attorney is helping the family seek a new investigation and more charges in the case.
Pakistan is No. 8 on Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List of the 50 places most difficult to be a Christian.
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