Archive · 17 Jan 2026
Pakistan Court Orders Police to Find Kidnapped Christian Girl
A 13-year-old Christian girl named Maria Shahbaz was kidnapped from her home in Lahore, Pakistan.
A 30-year-old man named Shehryar Ahmad is accused of taking her, making her convert to Islam, and marrying her.
Maria's family says she is a minor and that the marriage is not legal.
The police initially did not help, but now a higher court has ordered them to find Maria and bring her to court.
This is not the first time something like this has happened in Pakistan.
Other girls from minority religions have also been kidnapped, forced to convert, and married against their will.
Rights groups say this is a big problem in the country.
A Pakistani court ordered police to find and present a 13-year-old Christian girl, Maria Shahbaz, who was allegedly kidnapped, converted to Islam, and forcibly married to a 30-year-old Muslim man, Shehryar Ahmad.
The court order came after Maria's father, Shahbaz Masih, filed a petition challenging earlier court decisions that dismissed his complaints.
Maria's family alleges that she was forced to record a false statement claiming she had willingly converted and married Ahmad, despite evidence proving she is a minor.
Rights advocates highlight a pattern of young girls from religious minorities being abducted, forcibly converted, and married in Pakistan, with victims often pressured to make false statements.
The case is part of a broader issue of systemic discrimination and violence against religious minorities in Pakistan, including forced conversions, targeted killings, and attacks on places of worship.
- Who
- Maria Shahbaz, a 13-year-old Christian girl, and Shehryar Ahmad, a 30-year-old Muslim man
- What
- Maria was allegedly kidnapped, forcibly converted to Islam, and married to Ahmad
- When
- Maria was abducted on July 29, 2025, and the court order was issued on January 16, 2026
- Where
- Lahore, Pakistan
- Why
- The court ordered the police to present Maria and Ahmad to investigate the allegations of kidnapping, forced conversion, and underage marriage
Maria's Family and Rights Advocates
Shehryar Ahmad and Supporting Authorities
Age and Consent
Maria's Family and Rights Advocates
Maria is a minor (13 years old) and cannot legally consent to marriage or conversion.
Shehryar Ahmad and Supporting Authorities
Ahmad and supporting authorities claim Maria willingly converted and married him.
Forced Conversion and Marriage
Maria's Family and Rights Advocates
Maria's family alleges she was kidnapped, forced to convert, and marry Ahmad against her will.
Shehryar Ahmad and Supporting Authorities
Ahmad and supporting authorities claim Maria made these choices voluntarily.
- Girl's Name
- Maria Shahbaz
- Girl's Age
- 13
- Abductor's Name
- Shehryar Ahmad
- Abductor's Age
- 30
- Date of Abduction
- July 29, 2025
- Court Order Date
- January 16, 2026
- Location
- Lahore, Pakistan
- Legal Age of Marriage
- 16
