A 21-year-old Christian woman, Monica Jennifer, from Rawalpindi, has become the latest victim in a growing pattern of alleged abductions, forced conversions, and coerced marriages targeting Christian women in Pakistan. Monica disappeared on 17 November after failing to return home from work. When her family rushed to file a missing-person report, police officials refused to register their complaint and asked them to return the next day. Despite repeated attempts, the report was not filed until 23 November, six days later, following pressure from Christian rights advocates.
After the FIR was finally registered, Monica was brought before a court where she declared that she had “voluntarily” embraced Islam and married her Muslim neighbour. Her family strongly rejects this claim. Her brother, Raza Arif, insists Monica was abducted, manipulated, and forced into renouncing her Christian faith. He described her as a devout believer who would never willingly leave her family or abandon her religion, saying the statement she gave in court was made under coercion and that she does not presently have the freedom to speak openly.
The family has reported receiving multiple threats intended to silence them. Relatives of the accused have warned them to drop the case and have allegedly threatened to lodge false blasphemy accusations, a tactic commonly used to intimidate vulnerable Christian families. These threats have caused deep distress, particularly among Monica’s elderly parents, yet the family remains resolute in its pursuit of justice.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the conduct of the police. The delay in filing the FIR, reluctance to act promptly, and perceived bias in cases involving Christian complainants have drawn criticism from minority rights observers, who argue that such negligence enables perpetrators to coerce victims into unwanted conversions and marriages.
Monica’s disappearance reflects a broader human rights pattern affecting Christian and Hindu women in Pakistan. Many young minority women report being abducted, forced to convert, and married under pressure, often without genuine consent. Families commonly face intimidation, social pressure, and the fear of blasphemy allegations, which further discourage them from seeking justice. Police inaction and procedural delays remain persistent obstacles.
Monica’s family maintains that the alleged marriage is invalid because it was conducted under duress and without proper legal requirements. They are urgently calling for an impartial investigation and protection for Monica so she can speak freely without pressure or intimidation. “We only want Monica to be safe,” her brother Raza said. “She should be allowed to return home without fear.”
The case highlights the need for stronger safeguards to protect minority women, more reliable legal procedures, and an end to discriminatory practices that place vulnerable communities at risk. Christian charities and human rights organisations continue to urge Pakistani authorities to take meaningful action to ensure justice for Monica and the countless other minority women facing similar threats.
