A prominent minority rights organisation, the Voice of Pakistan Minority (VOPM), on Friday, 6 November 2026, raised serious alarm over the ongoing persecution of religious minorities across Pakistan, documenting blasphemy accusations, targeted violence and alleged forced conversions recorded during the first half of 2026. The VOPM's statement drew on cases detailed in the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report, arguing that discriminatory laws, weak accountability and inadequate state protection were compounding the suffering of vulnerable individuals and families.

Forced Conversion of Minor Girls

Among the most troubling cases cited were the alleged abductions and forced conversions of three minor girls — Maria Shahbaz, Neha Faqir, and Sonia Tariq. According to the VOPM, a court upheld the marriage of Maria, described as a 12-year-old Christian girl, to a 30-year-old man who had been accused of kidnapping her.

In Neha Faqir's case, her family alleged that a man abducted her from a sewing centre and coerced her into conversion, with police reportedly delaying initial action. The family of Sonia Tariq similarly alleged abduction and forced conversion; judges reportedly questioned a birth certificate identifying her as 15 years old, while those accused of abducting her claimed she was 20.

'Authorities must investigate such allegations promptly, assess age evidence fairly and hear girls' accounts without intimidation,' the VOPM stated. The rights body said these cases raise 'troubling questions about consent, child protection and access to justice.'

Blasphemy Accusations Against Christian Nurses

The VOPM also highlighted the cases of Christian nurses Navish Arooj and Maryum Lal, who were arrested by Pakistani authorities in April 2021 after a colleague accused them of defiling a sticker bearing an Islamic inscription. Both women spent five months in detention before subsequently going into hiding.

A court acquitted them in February 2026 after finding inconsistencies in witness testimony and insufficient credible evidence. 'Their acquittal represented an important correction, but it could not erase years of insecurity,' the rights body noted. The cases underscore how blasphemy accusations can derail lives long before the judicial process reaches its conclusion.

Legislative Gaps and State Accountability

The VOPM acknowledged a proposed legislative measure by Pakistani Christian lawmaker Falbous Christopher, who has introduced a bill against forced religious conversions. The rights body, however, cautioned that legislation alone would prove insufficient without consistent enforcement by police, courts and public officials.

'Legislation alone cannot protect vulnerable people unless police, courts and public officials enforce it fairly,' the VOPM said. Critics argue that even where legal frameworks exist on paper, selective enforcement and community pressure continue to shield perpetrators.

Broader Pattern and What Must Change

This comes amid a long-documented pattern of minority rights violations in Pakistan, with international bodies and advocacy groups repeatedly raising concerns over blasphemy laws that critics say are misused to settle personal scores, alongside a broader climate of impunity. The USCIRF has consistently placed Pakistan on its Special Watch List in recent years.

The VOPM was unequivocal in its demand: 'Pakistan's religious minorities need more than acquittals after prolonged suffering or promises after deadly attacks. They need institutions that prevent abuse, respond promptly and deliver justice. Their safety is not a concession from the state; it is the state's responsibility.' The rights body's report signals that without structural reforms — legislative, judicial and administrative — documented abuses will continue largely unchecked.