Lahore, Pakistan — In a landmark ruling underscoring the primacy of child protection and constitutional law, the Lahore High Court on 12 January 2026 ordered the recovery of Aneeqa, a 13-year-old Christian girl who was abducted on 29 December 2025, and handed her custody back to her parents—rejecting claims that she was lawfully married.
Aneeqa was abducted from a street in Sheikhupura when she stepped out to buy groceries for her family. The accused, Aslam, later presented her as his ‘wife,’ claiming she was an adult who had voluntarily converted to Islam. During the hearing, however, the Court relied on official NADRA records, which conclusively established that Aneeqa is a minor under Pakistani law.
The Court dismissed the claims of consent, marriage, and conversion, ruling that a minor is legally incapable of consenting to marriage or changing religion. It ordered that Aneeqa be immediately removed from the custody of the alleged husband and safely returned to her parents. The Court also directed the arrest and judicial custody of the accused.
An FIR (No. 3568/25) had earlier been registered at Sadar Sheikhupura Police Station under Section 365-B of the Pakistan Penal Code, which relates to kidnapping for the purpose of marriage.
This legal intervention was made possible through a constitutional petition supported by CLAAS-UK, working hand in hand with trusted partners in Pakistan to bring the child safely home and safeguard her fundamental rights.
Commenting on the ruling, Nasir Saeed, Director of CLAAS-UK, said: “This is a rare but extremely important victory. Under Pakistani law, a minor cannot be married or compelled to change religion. Sadly, in many similar cases, religious arguments have been misused to treat minor girls as adults and validate forced marriages. In this case, state law and constitutional protections rightly prevailed.”
He added that cases involving minor girls—particularly from religious minority communities—are frequently subjected to delay, intimidation, and manipulation.
“Timely and decisive judicial intervention is essential to prevent irreversible harm and to uphold the rule of law,” he said.
Following the Court’s decision, Aneeqa’s parents expressed profound relief and gratitude, thanking the judiciary and legal teams for ensuring their daughter’s safe return and recognizing her as a child in need of protection.
The case will now proceed before the Sheikhupura District and Sessions Court, where Aneeqa’s statement will be recorded by the police and later before a magistrate in accordance with due process. CLAAS-UK and its partners have confirmed they will continue to provide full legal support to the family throughout the trial.
CLAAS-UK reiterated its ongoing commitment to campaigning against forced religious conversions and forced marriages in Pakistan, working with national and international partners to protect vulnerable children and strengthen access to justice.
