Christian Woman In Pakistan Alleges Abduction, Forced Conversion To Islam; Suspect Named (Worthy News Investigation)

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

LAHORE, PAKISTAN (Worthy News) – A young Christian woman alleges she was abducted at gunpoint and forced to convert to Islam and marry a Muslim man four years ago after meeting him through her job at a beauty salon in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province. Now in her 20s, she fled this month and is in hiding with her young daughter, fearing retaliation.

The woman, who identified herself as Mishal in video testimony obtained by Worthy News, explained that she was working at a salon in Lahore, the capital of Punjab and Pakistan’s second-largest city, when a friend introduced her to the man.

Worthy News does not usually publish the full names of alleged victims of sexual or domestic abuse unless they voluntarily choose to do so and fully understand the potential consequences. She agreed to be identified by one name while keeping her face covered for security reasons.

Investigators identified the suspect as Ali Haider of Gujranwala, an industrial city about 70 kilometers (43 miles) north of Lahore. He has not publicly responded.

“He took me to a room and forced me into marriage at gunpoint,” Mishal recalled. “I tried very hard to leave, but he would not let me.”

FORCED MARRIAGE CLAIM

She added that her name was changed to Fatima after the alleged marriage and that she was pressured to renounce her Christian faith.

“When I asked why they changed my name, he started beating me,” she alleged.

She later returned to her family in Lahore, where her father confronted the man. Mishal alleged he responded with threats and fired gunshots outside their rented home before taking her to Gujranwala at gunpoint.

In Gujranwala, she explained that she was locked in a room, cut off from her family and subjected to repeated violence.

“He locked me in a room and gave me food only when he wished,” she said. “Whether intoxicated or not, he beat me.”

ABUSE AND ESCAPE

She has a daughter, Ayat, now about 18 months old.

Earlier this month, she alleged the abuse intensified.

“My nose and mouth were bleeding badly,” she recounted. Neighbors intervened after hearing her screams, and she escaped by crossing rooftops before police were called.

The family filed a complaint at Kot Ladha police station in Gujranwala District. She noted that the suspect has not been arrested and continues to threaten them.

“When we call police, they arrive after he runs away,” she added.

ONGOING THREATS

The family has since relocated due to security concerns.

“If anything happens to me or my family,” she warned, “he is responsible.”

Mishal urged other Christian girls not to ignore warning signs.

“Do not be deceived by sweet talk,” she advised. “Protect yourselves from such predators. May this never happen to anyone else.”

Her mother appealed to Maryam Nawaz Sharif, chief minister of Punjab province who oversees the provincial administration and police, for justice.

CALL FOR JUSTICE

“In Christ, peace to all,” her mother said. “If your daughter makes a mistake, stand by her. I did not at first, and later we learned the suffering she endured. You are also a mother — please give justice to my daughter.”

LEAD Ministries, a Christian advocacy group, said it has documented numerous cases in eastern Punjab and southern Sindh provinces involving alleged abductions and forced conversions of Christian women and minors.

Rights groups report that hundreds of minority girls — primarily Christians and Hindus — are allegedly abducted and coerced into conversion and marriage each year. Some estimates reach up to 1,000 annually, though figures remain disputed.

“Christian girls from economically vulnerable families are often targeted through deception or intimidation,” noted Mushtaq Sardar Gill, founder of LEAD Ministries.

Pakistan’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion. However, minority representatives say Christians — about 1.5 to 2 percent of the population of more than 240 million — often feel vulnerable in conversion-related disputes in the Islamic nation.

Now in hiding, Mishal has one simple request: “I just want to live in peace.”

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