Islamabad, April 5 (NationPress) Former federal minister for national harmony and minorities affairs and chairman of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, Paul Jacob Bhatti, has called on the government to create an independent parliamentary commission tasked with investigating instances of forced religious conversions and the marriage of underage girls, according to local media reports.

In his statement, Bhatti expressed that this is a grave and legitimate issue that threatens fundamental human rights, particularly children's rights, religious freedom, and the inherent dignity of individuals. This comes in the wake of protests across Pakistan by Christians following a Federal Constitutional Court ruling that permitted a 30-year-old Muslim man to retain custody of a 13-year-old girl, Maria Shahbaz.

Bhatti emphasized that a minor is incapable of providing full and genuine consent regarding matters of religion or marriage. He insisted that any conversions or marriages occurring under duress must undergo thorough and independent scrutiny before being deemed legally or morally acceptable.

He urged the Pakistan government to promptly reevaluate the Federal Constitutional Court’s decision to ensure it corresponds with the protections guaranteed by the constitution and the country’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, as reported by Pakistan Today.

Bhatti advocated for the establishment of a mandated review committee, approved by parliament, which should include internationally recognized human rights experts, representatives from major religious communities, qualified human rights lawyers, and child protection specialists.

On March 29, numerous Christians gathered outside the Karachi Press Club, holding placards and chanting slogans demanding enhanced protection for underage girls and stricter laws against forced conversions and child marriages, as reported by Christian Daily International.

During the protests, speakers highlighted the alarming increase in abductions, forced conversions, and marriages of Christian girls, urging the Federal Constitutional Court to reconsider its ruling. They called upon the Prime Minister and President of Pakistan to take immediate action.

Addressing the protesters, church leader and rights advocate Ghazala Shafique stated, "We denounce the Federal Constitutional Court for undermining existing child marriage laws by validating the Islamic conversion and marriage of a minor Christian girl. How can individuals who legally cannot obtain identity documents be considered capable of making decisions about their religion or marriage?"

Other speakers called for a review of all contentious laws and decisions affecting minority communities, emphasizing that neglecting these concerns exacerbates insecurity among minorities. Protests were similarly organized by other groups, including the National Christian Party and Gawahi Mission Trust.

Girls holding placards demanded justice in the Maria Shahbaz case and urged the implementation of laws prohibiting marriages of individuals under 18 years of age. The protesters cautioned that vulnerable groups, particularly young girls, remain at significant risk unless urgent legal reforms and judicial reviews are enacted.