LAHORE, Pakistan — Abduction, forced conversion, forced marriage or rape are real risks for young minority girls in Pakistan.
Sometimes authorities work to recover the girls and return them to their families. Other times authorities appear to aid the perpetrators.
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The following are some recent cases that media outlets Christian Daily International and Morning Star News have reported:
— Two Muslims allegedly drugged, raped and tortured a 15-year-old Catholic girl July 1 in Lahore. The girl’s mother sought to file a police report, but police delayed registering the complaint, the mother said.
— A Muslim abducted a 12-year-old Catholic girl Aug. 9 from Pattoki Tehsil in Punjab province and forced her to convert to Islam and marry him. The girl’s mother said police delayed filing a report and searching for her. As of Sept. 13, the girl was still missing. An attorney is petitioning Lahore High Court to rescue the girl.
— A Lahore High Court justice ordered police Sept. 11 to recover two Catholic sisters — ages 13 and 18 — who were kidnapped and forced to convert to Islam and marry the Muslim brothers who abducted them. The girls were kidnapped July 23 in Pattoki Tehsil.
Pakistan is No. 7 on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.
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