6 days ago
US Lawmakers Urge Pakistan to Protect Christian Woman’s Rights
Neha Faqir is an 18-year-old Christian woman from Pakistan.
Reports say she disappeared on March 24, 2026, after attending a sewing course.
She was later reportedly found at a madrassa in Lahore and said to have converted to Islam.
Her family asked a Pakistani court to return her, but the court rejected the petition.
Eleven members of the US Congress are worried about her safety and rights.
They said it is important to know whether she can make decisions freely.
They also raised concerns that her family could not speak with her privately during the court process.
The lawmakers asked Pakistan to let her communicate freely with her family and receive independent legal help.
They want any future hearings to allow her to speak without pressure or intimidation.
A bipartisan group of 11 US lawmakers urged Pakistan to protect Neha Faqir’s safety and fundamental rights.
Faqir, an 18-year-old Christian woman, was allegedly abducted after disappearing on March 24, 2026.
Christian Solidarity International said she was later found at a madrassa in Lahore and had converted to Islam.
A Pakistani court rejected her family’s petition seeking her return.
The lawmakers requested private family communication, independent legal counsel and proceedings free from intimidation or undue influence.
- Who
- Neha Faqir; 11 bipartisan US lawmakers led by Congressman Chris Smith; and Pakistan’s government and judicial authorities.
- What
- US lawmakers urged Pakistan to protect Faqir’s safety, religious freedom and other fundamental rights after her alleged abduction and reported conversion to Islam.
- Where
- Pakistan, including Lahore and proceedings before the Lahore High Court.
- When
- Faqir reportedly disappeared on March 24, 2026; Christian Solidarity International raised concerns on June 10; the lawmakers’ letter was dated August 20.
- Why
- The lawmakers questioned whether Faqir could communicate and exercise her rights freely and without coercion or intimidation.
Key facts
- Person at center
- Neha Faqir, an 18-year-old Pakistani Christian woman
- Reported disappearance
- March 24, 2026
- Reported location
- A madrassa in Lahore, according to Christian Solidarity International
- Reported conversion
- Faqir was reportedly converted to Islam after her disappearance
- Court development
- A Pakistani court rejected her family’s petition seeking her return
- Congressional action
- Eleven bipartisan US lawmakers sent a letter to Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Law and Justice
- Requested safeguards
- Private family communication, independent legal counsel, physical safety and proceedings free from intimidation
Quotes
The 11 US lawmakers
A bipartisan group of US Congress members who wrote to Pakistan’s law minister
“This case has attracted international attention not only because of the disturbing nature of the underlying allegations, but because it appears to reflect a longstanding pattern documented by Pakistan’s own civil society, the US Department of State, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, United Nations experts, and other independent observers concerning allegations of abduction, forced marriage, and coerced religious conversion of members of Pakistan’s religious minority communit”
thestatesman.com
“The circumstances surrounding Neha Faqir's disappearance and subsequent conversion raise profoundly troubling questions about her safety, freedom of religion, and ability to exercise her rights without coercion or intimidation.”
wionews.com
thestatesman.com
Sources
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