Minor Hindu girl kidnapped from Badin at risk of forced conversion, says father

BADIN: A minor Hindu girl was allegedly kidnapped from the Jam Khan Pitafi village here near the city earlier this month at gunpoint, her father claimed, adding that he feared the suspect may subject her to forceful conversion to Islam.

The father of Mala, 14, told police while submitting a request to register a first information report (FIR) that she was kidnapped at gunpoint on March 16 by Ghulam Haider Taheem — a resident of Umerkot's Pithoro area — alongside his accomplices.

Officers at the Pangrio police station said they have filed the FIR on behalf of Mala's father.

However, police also noted that Mala had already converted to Islam on March 17 and married Taheem, the man her father claimed is her abductor, in a court in Sanghar. Their statement from the court, as well as the marriage certificate, was available with police, they added.

Police explained that since the FIR was filed on March 26, Mala would now be recovered so that she can present her statement in the court.

This is the second such case to emerge in recent days, following the alleged kidnapping-and-marriage case of Reena and Raveena from Ghotki. of which the federal government has taken notice.

Earlier, on Tuesday, the Islamabad High Court had ordered the state to take the girls into its custody and make sure that they remain safe.