Coerced religious conversion in Pakistan: Difference between revisions

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In Pakistan, people belonging to the minority Hindu, Christian and Sikh communities are often kidnapped and forcefully converted or coerced through societal pressures to convert to Islam,.^[1]^[2] Jürgen Schaflechner, a cultural anthropologist specializing on Hindus in Pakistan, cautions that these conversions are rarely motivated by religious zeal, and are instead a consequence of the commodification of women, and of denying agency to women in a deeply patriarchal society.^[3]

Causes

Some coerced conversions are results of kidnappings or violent threats while others are due to the systemic discrimination that many Hindus face in their professional, public, and private lives, and conversion is seen by many as a way to avoid religious discrimination and violence.^[4]

According to some child protection activists, the forced conversion of young girls is part of a moneymaking scheme involving corrupt public and religious figures who allow underaged girls to be converted to islam and married to older men in exchange for money.^[5]

Notable incidents

In May 2007, Christian citizens of Charsadda (a city which is close to the border with Afghanistan) reported that they had received letters threatening violent attacks if they did not convert to Islam, and that the police were not taking the threats seriously.^[6]

In April 2012 three Hindu sisters were allegedly threatened into converting to Islam.^[7]^[8]^[9] their cases were appealed all the way to the Supreme Court of Pakistan, where the appeal was admitted but has remained unheard.^[10]

Many Hindus convert to Islam in order to acquire Watan Cards and National Identification Cards. These converts are also given land and money. ^[11]

Consequences

A survey conducted by a Pakistani Hindu organization found that a majority of scheduled caste Pakistani Hindu families dont send their female children to schools due to the fear of forced conversion and kidnapping.^[12]

According to Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, around 5,000 Hindus migrate from Pakistan to India every year due to fear of forced conversions.^[13] The Pakistan Hindu Council says that forced conversions are the primary reason for the declining Hindu population in Pakistan.^[14]

Legality

Pakistan does not have strong laws designed to prevent coerced religious conversion, which has drawn criticism for allowing coerced conversions to go largely unpunished. ^[15]

In November 2016, a bill prohibiting forced conversion was passed by the Sindh Provisional Assembly however, the Governor of Sindh faced pressure from muslim groups not to sign the bill, leading to it not becoming a law.^[16] In 2020 a bill aimed at preventing coerced conversions was introduced in the Senate of Pakistan that could prevent forced conversions of minority girls, but it was turned down by the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony. Krishna Kumari Kolhi, a Hindu Pakistan Peoples Party Senator, walked out of the Senate during the meeting as a form of protest.^[17]

Response

The Pakistani Nobel Laurette Malala Yousafzai spoke against forced conversions in Pakistan and said "It should be a personal choice and no one, especially a child shouldn’t be forced to accept any faith or convert to any other religion out of the will,"^[18] The Pakistani Prime minister Imran Khan has said that forced conversions are 'un-Islamic'^[19] and are against the commands of Allah.^[20]

Candice Bergen, the Deputy Leader of Conservative Party of Canada, has commented that "The reports coming out of Pakistan of Christian and Hindu girls being abducted, raped, forced into marriages and coerced to convert from their faith are deeply concerning and need to be addressed". She also called for the re-establishment of Office of Religious Freedom in Canada to address the issue.^[21]

References

^ "Stories of forced conversion to Islam in Pakistan". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2021-10-27. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
^ Siobhan Heanue (26 July 2019). "Hindu sisters Reena and Raveena become face of forced religious conversion in Pakistan". ABC news. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
^ Schaflechner, Jürgen. "'Forced conversions' of Hindu women to Islam in Pakistan: another perspective". The Conversation. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
^ Abi-Habib, Maria; Ur-Rehman, Zia (4 August 2020). "Poor and Desperate, Pakistani Hindus Accept Islam to Get By". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
^ KATHY GANNON (28 December 2020). "Each year, 1,000 Pakistani girls forcibly converted to Islam". abc news. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
^ "Taliban Tells Pakistani Christians: Convert or Die". Fox News. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
^ "Opinion: Rinkle Kumari – the new Marvi of Sindh by Marvi Sirmed". Thefridaytimes.com. Archived from the original on 2013-02-03. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
^ "SC orders release of Rinkle Kumari, others". Pakistan Observer. April 19, 2012. Archived from the original on 2014-02-21. Retrieved 2012-06-05.
^ "Hindus in Pak happy after girl's statement in SC". Deccan Herald. 27 March 2012. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
^ "Curbs on forced conversion". The Express Tribune. 7 December 2016. Archived from the original on 30 April 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
^ "Mass conversions: For Matli's poor Hindus, 'lakshmi' lies in another religion". The Express Tribune. January 20, 2012. Archived from the original on March 5, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
^ Yudhvir Rana (4 June 2013). "Hindu parents don't send girl children to schools in Pakistan: Report". Retrieved 13 February 2021.
^ Haider, Irfan (13 May 2014). "5,000 Hindus migrating to India every year, NA told". Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
^ Quratulain, Fatima (19 September 2017), "Forced conversions of Pakistani Hindu girls", Daily Times (Pakistan), archived from the original on 9 November 2020, retrieved 13 February 2021
^ "Pakistani court allows Hindu girls to decide their own fate". DW news. 18 April 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2021.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ Ackerman, Reuben; Rehman, Javaid; Johns, Morris, Forced Conversions & Forced Marriages in Sindh, Pakistan (PDF), CIFORB, the University of Birmingham, archived (PDF) from the original on 29 September 2018, retrieved 13 February 2021
^ "Senate panel 'turns down' bill on minorities rights". The Tribune. 2 February 2021. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
^ "I strongly condemn any incident where girls are forced to get married: Malala". Daily Times. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
^ "Forced conversions are 'un-Islamic', says Imran Khan". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
^ "Forced conversions are against the commands of Allah: Imran". SAMAA. 24 October 2017. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
^ Zeenya Shah. "Attacks on minority women in Pakistan spark calls to reopen Office of Religious Freedoms closed by Liberals". National post. Retrieved 12 April 2021.

[1] "Stories of forced conversion to Islam in Pakistan". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2021-10-27. Retrieved 2021-10-27.

[2] Siobhan Heanue (26 July 2019). "Hindu sisters Reena and Raveena become face of forced religious conversion in Pakistan". ABC news. Retrieved 13 February 2021.

[3] Schaflechner, Jürgen. "'Forced conversions' of Hindu women to Islam in Pakistan: another perspective". The Conversation. Retrieved 2023-05-13.

[4] Abi-Habib, Maria; Ur-Rehman, Zia (4 August 2020). "Poor and Desperate, Pakistani Hindus Accept Islam to Get By". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2021.

[KATHY-5] KATHY GANNON (28 December 2020). "Each year, 1,000 Pakistani girls forcibly converted to Islam". abc news. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.

[Fox_News-6] "Taliban Tells Pakistani Christians: Convert or Die". Fox News. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2015.

[fridaytimesrinkle-7] "Opinion: Rinkle Kumari – the new Marvi of Sindh by Marvi Sirmed". Thefridaytimes.com. Archived from the original on 2013-02-03. Retrieved 2022-01-15.

[8] "SC orders release of Rinkle Kumari, others". Pakistan Observer. April 19, 2012. Archived from the original on 2014-02-21. Retrieved 2012-06-05.

[9] "Hindus in Pak happy after girl's statement in SC". Deccan Herald. 27 March 2012. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.

[Curbs_on_forced_conversion-10] "Curbs on forced conversion". The Express Tribune. 7 December 2016. Archived from the original on 30 April 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2022.

[11] "Mass conversions: For Matli's poor Hindus, 'lakshmi' lies in another religion". The Express Tribune. January 20, 2012. Archived from the original on March 5, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2022.

[12] Yudhvir Rana (4 June 2013). "Hindu parents don't send girl children to schools in Pakistan: Report". Retrieved 13 February 2021.

[Haider-13] Haider, Irfan (13 May 2014). "5,000 Hindus migrating to India every year, NA told". Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2021.

[auto1-14] Quratulain, Fatima (19 September 2017), "Forced conversions of Pakistani Hindu girls", Daily Times (Pakistan), archived from the original on 9 November 2020, retrieved 13 February 2021

[DW-15] "Pakistani court allows Hindu girls to decide their own fate". DW news. 18 April 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2021.^{[permanent dead link]}

[16] Ackerman, Reuben; Rehman, Javaid; Johns, Morris, Forced Conversions & Forced Marriages in Sindh, Pakistan (PDF), CIFORB, the University of Birmingham, archived (PDF) from the original on 29 September 2018, retrieved 13 February 2021

[17] "Senate panel 'turns down' bill on minorities rights". The Tribune. 2 February 2021. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2021.

[18] "I strongly condemn any incident where girls are forced to get married: Malala". Daily Times. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.

[19] "Forced conversions are 'un-Islamic', says Imran Khan". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.

[20] "Forced conversions are against the commands of Allah: Imran". SAMAA. 24 October 2017. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.

[21] Zeenya Shah. "Attacks on minority women in Pakistan spark calls to reopen Office of Religious Freedoms closed by Liberals". National post. Retrieved 12 April 2021.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Short description|Human rights issue in Pakistan}}
+{{pp-dispute|small=yes}}
-{{multiple issues|
-{{balance|date=May 2023}}
-{{lead too long|date=May 2023}}
-}}
 [[File:Protest against forced conversion of Hindu girls in Pakistan.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Protest against forced conversion of Hindu girls conducted by [[Pakistan Hindu Council]]]]
-In [[Pakistan]], on average around over a 1000 underage girls belonging to the minority [[Hinduism in Pakistan|Hindu]], [[Christianity in Pakistan|Christian]] and [[Sikhism in Pakistan|Sikh]] communities are kidnapped and forcefully converted to [[Islam]] every year and forcibly married and subjected to rape.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stories of forced conversion to Islam in Pakistan |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-29008267}}</ref><ref name="KATHY">{{cite news|url=https://www.abcnews.go.com/amp/International/wireStory/year-1000-pakistani-girls-forcibly-converted-islam-74930532|title=Each year, 1,000 Pakistani girls forcibly converted to Islam|newspaper=abc news|author=KATHY GANNON|date=28 December 2020|access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref> Most of the targets are Hindu and Christian girls from lower Castes and poor families.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/article/11338314|title=Hindu sisters Reena and Raveena become face of forced religious conversion in Pakistan|newspaper=ABC news|author=Siobhan Heanue|date=26 July 2019|access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref> Such cases of forced conversions are being reported increasingly in the Southern [[Sindh]] districts of [[Tharparkar]], [[Umerkot District|Umerkot]] and [[Mirpur Khas District|Mirpur Khas]]<ref name="auto1">{{citation |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/116289/forced-conversions-of-pakistani-hindu-girls/ |title=Forced conversions of Pakistani Hindu girls |last1=Quratulain |first1=Fatima|date=19 September 2017 |work=[[Daily Times (Pakistan)]] |access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref> and in the South Punjab, particularly the [[Rahim Yar Khan District]] and adjacent areas.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tribune.com.pk/story/430418/intolerance-growing-in-south-punjab-report%3famp=1|title=Intolerance growing in South Punjab: Report|author=Zahid Gishkori|date=3 September 2012|access-date=22 February 2021}}</ref> Some of these victims are allegedly as young as 12 years old.<ref name="Kunwar">{{Cite news|url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/pakistan-s-forced-conversions-brings-shame-on-imran-khan/amp|title=Pakistan's forced conversions shame Imran Khan|newspaper=The Spectator|author=Kunwar Khuldune Shahid|date=11 January 2020|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref>
+In [[Pakistan]], people belonging to the minority [[Hinduism in Pakistan|Hindu]], [[Christianity in Pakistan|Christian]] and [[Sikhism in Pakistan|Sikh]] communities are often kidnapped and forcefully converted or coerced through societal pressures to convert to [[Islam]],.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stories of forced conversion to Islam in Pakistan |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-29008267 |access-date=2021-10-27 |archive-date=2021-10-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027042707/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-29008267 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/article/11338314|title=Hindu sisters Reena and Raveena become face of forced religious conversion in Pakistan|newspaper=ABC news|author=Siobhan Heanue|date=26 July 2019|access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref> Jürgen Schaflechner, a cultural anthropologist specializing on Hindus in Pakistan, cautions that these conversions are rarely motivated by religious zeal, and are instead a consequence of the commodification of women, and of denying agency to women in a deeply patriarchal society.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schaflechner |first=Jürgen |title='Forced conversions' of Hindu women to Islam in Pakistan: another perspective |url=http://theconversation.com/forced-conversions-of-hindu-women-to-islam-in-pakistan-another-perspective-102726 |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=The Conversation |language=en}}</ref>
+==Causes==
-Many Hindu girls living in Pakistan are kidnapped, forcibly converted and married to Muslims.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2014/8/18/forced-conversions-torment-pakistans-hindus|title=Pakistan, Hindus, Forced Conversions, Islam|first=Maham|last=Javaid|website=www.aljazeera.com}}</ref> According to the [[Pakistan Hindu Council]], religious persecution, especially forced conversions, remains the foremost reason for migration of Hindus from Pakistan. Religious institutions like Bharchundi Sharif and Sarhandi Pir support forced conversions and are known to have support and protection of ruling political parties of Sindh.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/116289/forced-conversions-of-pakistani-hindu-girls/|title=Forced conversions of Pakistani Hindu girls|date=September 19, 2017}}</ref> According to the National Commission of Justice and Peace and the Pakistan Hindu Council around 1000 Christian and Hindu minority women are converted to Islam and then forcibly married off to their abductors or rapists. This practice is being reported increasingly in the districts of Tharparkar, Umerkot and Mirpur Khas in Sindh.<ref name="auto"/> According to another report from the Movement for Solidarity and Peace, about 1,000 non-Muslim girls are converted to Islam each year in Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/pakistan/story/1000-christian-hindu-girls-forced-to-convert-to-islam-every-year-in-pakistan-report-188177-2014-04-08|title=1,000 Christian, Hindu girls forced to convert to Islam every year in Pakistan: report|date=April 8, 2014|website=India Today}}</ref> According to the Amarnath Motumal, the vice chairperson of the [[Human Rights Commission of Pakistan]], every month, an estimated 20 or more Hindu girls are abducted and converted, although exact figures are impossible to gather.<ref name="auto2"/> In 2014 alone, 265 legal cases of forced conversion were reported mostly involving Hindu girls.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1170682|title=265 cases of forced conversion reported last year, moot told|first=Faiza|last=Ilyas|date=March 20, 2015|website=DAWN.COM}}</ref>
+Some coerced conversions are results of kidnappings or violent threats while others are due to the systemic discrimination that many Hindus face in their professional, public, and private lives, and conversion is seen by many as a way to avoid religious discrimination and violence.<ref>{{cite news |title=Poor and Desperate, Pakistani Hindus Accept Islam to Get By |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/04/world/asia/pakistan-hindu-conversion.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=4 August 2020 |last1=Abi-Habib |first1=Maria |last2=Ur-Rehman |first2=Zia |access-date=27 October 2021 |archive-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814074954/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/04/world/asia/pakistan-hindu-conversion.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
+According to some child protection activists, the forced conversion of young girls is part of a moneymaking scheme involving corrupt public and religious figures who allow underaged girls to be converted to islam and married to older men in exchange for money.<ref name="KATHY">{{cite news |author=KATHY GANNON |date=28 December 2020 |title=Each year, 1,000 Pakistani girls forcibly converted to Islam |newspaper=abc news |url=https://www.abcnews.go.com/amp/International/wireStory/year-1000-pakistani-girls-forcibly-converted-islam-74930532 |url-status=dead |access-date=13 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104210739/https://abcnews.go.com/amp/International/wireStory/year-1000-pakistani-girls-forcibly-converted-islam-74930532 |archive-date=4 November 2021}}</ref>
-According to the Pakistan's 2017 [[Universal Periodic Review]] to the [[United Nations|UN]] [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] (OHCHR), an average 20 of Hindu girls are abducted every month in Pakistan, converted by force to Islam, and then married off to their abductors.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/amp/845401-forced-to-marry|title=Forced to marry|access-date=23 June 2021}}</ref>
+==Notable incidents==
-Within Pakistan, the southern province of Sindh had over 1,000 forced conversions of Christian and Hindu girls according to the annual report of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in 2018. According to victims' families and activists, [[Abdul Haq (politician)|Mian Abdul Haq]], who is a local political and religious leader in Sindh, has been accused of being responsible for forced conversions of girls within the province.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://religionnews.com/2019/06/06/forced-conversions-marriages-spike-in-pakistan/|title=Forced conversions, marriages spike in Pakistan|date=June 6, 2019}}</ref>
+In May 2007, Christian citizens of [[Charsadda]] (a city which is close to the border with [[Afghanistan]]) reported that they had received letters threatening violent attacks if they did not convert to Islam, and that the police were not taking the threats seriously.<ref name="Fox News">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,273075,00.html|title=Taliban Tells Pakistani Christians: Convert or Die|work=[[Fox News]]|access-date=May 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515081338/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,273075,00.html|archive-date=May 15, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
+In April 2012 three Hindu sisters were allegedly threatened into converting to Islam.<ref name="fridaytimesrinkle">{{cite web |url=http://www.thefridaytimes.com/beta2/tft/article.php?issue=20120413&page=9 |title=Opinion: Rinkle Kumari – the new Marvi of Sindh by Marvi Sirmed |publisher=Thefridaytimes.com |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203203818/http://www.thefridaytimes.com/beta2/tft/article.php?issue=20120413&page=9 |archive-date=2013-02-03 |url-status=dead |access-date=2022-01-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=151043 |title=SC orders release of Rinkle Kumari, others |work=[[Pakistan Observer]]|date=April 19, 2012|access-date=2012-06-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221063358/http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=151043 |archive-date=2014-02-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/237575/hindus-pak-happy-girls-statement.html|title=Hindus in Pak happy after girl's statement in SC|date=27 March 2012|website=Deccan Herald|access-date=15 January 2022|archive-date=15 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115175910/https://www.deccanherald.com/content/237575/hindus-pak-happy-girls-statement.html|url-status=live}}</ref> their cases were appealed all the way to the [[Supreme Court of Pakistan]], where the appeal was admitted but has remained unheard.<ref name="Curbs on forced conversion">{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1256767/curbs-forced-conversion/|title=Curbs on forced conversion|date=7 December 2016|website=The Express Tribune|access-date=15 January 2022|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430195714/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1256767/curbs-forced-conversion/|url-status=live}}</ref>
-More than 100 Hindus in Sindh converted to Islam in June 2020 to escape discrimination and economic pressures. Islamic charities and clerics offer incentives of jobs or land to impoverished minorities on the condition that they convert. ''[[New York Times]]'' summarised the view of Hindu groups that these seemingly voluntary conversions "take place under such economic duress that they are tantamount to a forced conversion anyway."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/04/world/asia/pakistan-hindu-conversion.html
-|title=Poor and Desperate, Pakistani Hindus Accept Islam to Get By
-|newspaper=The New York Times
-|date=4 August 2020
-|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814074954/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/04/world/asia/pakistan-hindu-conversion.html
-|archive-date=2020-08-14
-|last1=Abi-Habib
-|first1=Maria
-|last2=Ur-Rehman
-|first2=Zia
-}}</ref>
+Many Hindus convert to Islam in order to acquire Watan Cards and National Identification Cards. These converts are also given land and money. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/324799/mass-conversions-for-matlis-poor-hindus-lakshmi-lies-in-another-religion|title=Mass conversions: For Matli's poor Hindus, 'lakshmi' lies in another religion|date=January 20, 2012|website=The Express Tribune|access-date=January 15, 2022|archive-date=March 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305115204/https://tribune.com.pk/story/324799/mass-conversions-for-matlis-poor-hindus-lakshmi-lies-in-another-religion|url-status=live}}</ref>
-Forbes reported that the Human rights organizations estimates that every year 1,000 such girls are forcibly converted to Islam. This estimate could be even higher than 1,000 as many cases remain unreported.<ref name="Ewelina">{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewelinaochab/2021/02/05/another-religious-minority-girl-kidnapped-raped-and-chained-up-by-her-abductor-in-pakistan/amp/|title=Girl Kidnapped, Raped And Chained Up By Her Abductor In Pakistan|newspaper=Forbes|author=Ewelina U. Ochab|date=5 February 2021|access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref> The 2020 US media report also estimates the number of forcibly converted girls to be around 1,000 per year. However the Pakistan government rejected it and termed the report as "rubbish and baseless".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/pakistan-rejects-us-media-report-on-forced-conversion/2092464#:~:text=Pakistan%20on%20Tuesday%20rejected%20a,converted%20to%20Islam%20every%20year.&text=Earlier%20this%20month%2C%20the%20US,its%20International%20Religious%20Freedom%20Act|title=Pakistan rejects US media report on forced conversion|newspaper=Anadolu Post|author=Islamuddin Sajid|date=29 January 2020|access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref>
-==Incidents==
+==Consequences==
+A survey conducted by a [[Pakistani Hindu]] organization found that a majority of [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|scheduled caste]] Pakistani Hindu families dont send their female children to schools due to the fear of forced conversion and kidnapping.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/chandigarh/hindu-parents-dont-send-girl-children-to-schools-in-pakistan-survey/articleshow/20431451.cms|title=Hindu parents don't send girl children to schools in Pakistan: Report|author=Yudhvir Rana|date=4 June 2013|access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref>
-*In 2003, a six-year-old Sikh girl was kidnapped by a member of the [[Afridi]] tribe in Northwest Frontier Province; the alleged kidnapper claimed the girl was actually 12-years-old, and had converted to Islam so therefore could not be returned to her [[Kafir|non-Muslim]] family.<ref>{{cite book|title=Annual Report on International Religious Freedom, 2004|year=2005|publisher=[[United States Commission on International Religious Freedom]], [[State Dept (US)]], [[Senate Committee on Foreign Relations]] (US)|page=667|chapter= Pakistan |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=04dlwzB2SvcC&pg=PA667|isbn=978-0-16072-552-4|title-link=Annual Report on International Religious Freedom}}</ref>
-*On January 4, 2005, 16 year old Hemi and 18 year old Marvi were kidnapped from Kunri village in Umerkot district.<ref name="incidents" />
-*On March 3, 2005, 14 year old Raji was kidnapped from Aslam Town Jhuddo in Mirpurkhas District.<ref name="incidents" />
-*On December 22, 2005, 13 year old Mashu was kidnapped from Jhaluree village in Mirpur Khas District.<ref name="incidents" />
-*On July 23, 2006, 15 year-old Pooja was kidnapped from Lyari town in Karachi District. A judge ruled that she should be released and although she was, she was kidnapped again and has been missing ever since.<ref name="incidents" />
-*On August 2, 2006, 16 year old Komal was kidnapped from Hawks bay in Karachi District.<ref name="incidents" />
-*On December 31, 2006, 17 year old Deepa was kidnapped from Tharparkar district in Sindh province.<ref name="incidents" />
-*In May 2007, members of the Christian community of [[Charsadda]] in the [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|North West Frontier Province]] of Pakistan, close to the border of [[Afghanistan]], reported that they had received letters threatening bombings if they did not convert to Islam, and that the police were not taking their fears seriously.<ref name="Fox News">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,273075,00.html|title=Taliban Tells Pakistani Christians: Convert or Die|work=[[Fox News]]|access-date=May 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515081338/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,273075,00.html|archive-date=May 15, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
-*In June 2009, [[International Christian Concern]] (ICC) reported the rape and killing of a Christian man in Pakistan, for refusing to convert to Islam.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,526126,00.html |title=Christian Man Raped, Murdered for Refusing to Convert to Islam, Family Says |publisher=FOX News |date=June 13, 2009 |first=Nora |last=Zimmett |access-date=June 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514193533/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,526126,00.html |archive-date=May 14, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
-*Rinkle Kumari, a 19-year Pakistani student, Lata Kumari, and Asha Kumari, a Hindu working in a beauty parlor, were allegedly forced to convert from Hinduism to Islam.<ref name="fridaytimesrinkle">{{cite web |url=http://www.thefridaytimes.com/beta2/tft/article.php?issue=20120413&page=9 |title=Opinion: Rinkle Kumari – the new Marvi of Sindh by Marvi Sirmed |publisher=Thefridaytimes.com |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203203818/http://www.thefridaytimes.com/beta2/tft/article.php?issue=20120413&page=9 |archive-date=2013-02-03 |url-status=dead |access-date=2022-01-15}}</ref><ref name="Pakistan Observer">{{cite web |url=http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=151043 |title=SC orders release of Rinkle Kumari, others |work=[[Pakistan Observer]]|date= April 19, 2012|access-date=2012-06-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221063358/http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=151043 |archive-date=2014-02-21}}</ref> Their cases were appealed all the way to the [[Supreme Court of Pakistan]]. The appeal was admitted but remained unheard ever after.<ref name="Curbs on forced conversion">{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1256767/curbs-forced-conversion/|title=Curbs on forced conversion|date=7 December 2016|website=The Express Tribune}}</ref>
-*On September 23, 2014, Joti Kumari, a student of Electrical Engineering was kidnapped from Larkana City in Sindh District.<ref name="incidents" />
-*A total of 57 Hindus converted in [[Pasrur]] during May 14–19. On May 14, 35 Hindus of the same family were forced to convert by their employer because his sales dropped after Muslims started boycotting his eatable items as they were prepared by Hindus as well as their persecution by the Muslim employees of neighbouring shops according to their relatives. Since the impoverished Hindus had no other way to earn and needed to keep the job to survive, they converted. 14 members of another family converted on May 17 since no one was employing them, later another Hindu man and his family of eight under pressure from Muslims converted to Islam to avoid their land being grabbed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/15970/57-hindus-convert-to-islam-in-10-days/|title=57 Hindus convert to Islam in 10 days|first=Abdul|last=Manan|date=25 May 2010|website=The Express Tribune|access-date=9 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423025030/https://tribune.com.pk/story/15970/57-hindus-convert-to-islam-in-10-days/|archive-date=23 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
-*In 2017, the Sikh community in Hangu district of Pakistan's [[Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]] province alleged that they were “being forced to convert to Islam” by a government official. Farid Chand Singh, who filed the complaint, has claimed that Assistant Commissioner Tehsil Tall Yaqoob Khan was allegedly forcing Sikhs to convert to Islam and the residents of Doaba area are being tortured religiously.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1585150/1-sikh-community-hangu-forced-convert/ |title=Sikh community in Hangu 'being forced to convert' {{!}} The Express Tribune |date=15 December 2017 |access-date=2020-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121191413/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1585150/1-sikh-community-hangu-forced-convert/ |archive-date=2018-01-21 |url-status=live}}</ref>
-*On April 29, 2017, a 17 year old, Priya Kaur, a Sikh girl was kidnapped from Buner district.<ref name="incidents" />
-*In June, 2017, 16-year-old Ravita Meghwar was kidnapped in Sindh.<ref name="incidents" />
-*Hindu sisters Reena and Raveena became the face of forced religious conversion in Pakistan in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-26/pakistan-forced-marriage-islam-conversion-teenagers-kidnapped/11338314|title=Hindu sisters Reena and Raveena become face of forced religious conversion in Pakistan|date=25 July 2019|publisher=ABC News|access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref> It prompted the Indian External Affairs Ministry to ask Pakistan to submit a report about it.<ref name="incidents">{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2019/mar/31/brides-of-despair-1956753.html|title=Brides of Despair|date=31 March 2019|publisher=The New Indian Express|access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref>
-*January, 2019, 16 year old Anusha Kumari was kidnapped and the Indian High Commission took up the matter, but no action was taken.<ref name="incidents" />
-*A Sikh girl, kidnapped and married to a Muslim is yet to return home despite the Governor of Punjab assuring to send her back to her parents in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/pakistan-sikh-girl-kidnapped-and-married-to-muslim-yet-to-return-home-1603605-2019-09-26 |title=Pakistan: Sikh girl, kidnapped and married to Muslim, yet to return home|date=26 September 2019|publisher=India Today |access-date=11 February 2020}}</ref>
-*In 2020, Mehak Kumari a 15-year-old Hindu girl was kidnapped, forcibly converted and married to a Muslim man. She was later rescued by the police.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/pak-hindu-girl-rescued-yet-to-return-to-family/articleshow/73452872.cms |title=Pak Hindu girl rescued, yet to return to family|date=21 January 2020|publisher=Bennett, Coleman and Co. Ltd. |access-date=21 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pak-police-recover-minor-hindu-girl/articleshow/73462390.cms |title=Pak police recover minor Hindu girl |date=21 January 2020 |publisher=Bennett, Coleman and Co. Ltd. |access-date=21 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122200757/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pak-police-recover-minor-hindu-girl/articleshow/73462390.cms |archive-date=22 January 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Court ordered her to be sent to a Women's protection centre.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/pak-court-sends-15-yr-old-hindu-girl-to-women-protection-centre-after-forced-conversion-marriage-30519 |title=Pak court sends 15-yr-old Hindu girl to women protection centre after forced conversion, marriage |date=23 January 2020 |work=The Tribune |access-date=25 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125030535/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/pak-court-sends-15-yr-old-hindu-girl-to-women-protection-centre-after-forced-conversion-marriage-30519 |archive-date=25 January 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the court she said that she didn't want to convert and to be sent back to her parents' house.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amritsar/dont-want-to-convert-will-stay-with-parents-minor-pakistan-hindu-girl/articleshow/73996972.cms|title=Don't want to convert, will stay with parents: Minor Pakistan Hindu girl|date=7 February 2020|publisher=Bennett, Coleman and Co. Ltd. |access-date=7 February 2020}}</ref> Soon after, Islamic clerics in Pakistan demanded the beheading of Mehak Kumari for renouncing Islam after being converted.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/international/article/hindu-minor-girl-who-was-forcefully-converted-renounces-islam-pakistani-mullahs-demand-death-penalty/551192|title=Hindu minor girl who was forcefully converted renounces Islam; Pakistani mullahs demand death penalty|date=9 February 2020|publisher=Times Now News|access-date=25 March 2020}}</ref>
-*A bride was allegedly kidnapped with the help of the police in January 2020 from her wedding and forcibly married to a Muslim.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.com/articleshow/73659948.cms |title=Pak Hindu bride abducted, converted to Islam, forcibly married to Muslim man|date=27 January 2020|publisher=Bennett, Coleman and Co. Ltd. |access-date=27 January 2020}}</ref>
-*In 2020, a 14-year-old Christian girl was allegedly abducted, converted to Islam and married off to a Muslim man in Karachi. However, in the court, the judges maintained that the girl has already had her first menstrual cycle and under the Islamic Shariah Law she should be considered an adult, making her marriage with her abductor legal and justified.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/pakistan-minor-girl-forced-abduction-conversion-judges-adult-claim-menstruation-period-1644205-2020-02-07 |title=She's an adult as she has had her 1st period: Pak judges on minor Catholic girl's forced conversion, marriage|date=7 February 2020|publisher=Bennett, Coleman and Co. Ltd. |access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref>
+According to [[Ramesh Kumar Vankwani]], a member of the [[National Assembly of Pakistan|National Assembly of Pakistan]], around 5,000 Hindus migrate from Pakistan to India every year due to fear of forced conversions.<ref name="Haider">{{Cite news|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1105830|title=5,000 Hindus migrating to India every year, NA told|last=Haider|first=Irfan|date=13 May 2014|access-date=13 February 2021|archive-date=29 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229174650/http://www.dawn.com/news/1105830|url-status=live}}</ref>  The [[Pakistan Hindu Council]] says that forced conversions are the primary reason for the declining Hindu population in Pakistan.<ref name="auto1">{{citation |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/116289/forced-conversions-of-pakistani-hindu-girls/ |title=Forced conversions of Pakistani Hindu girls |last1=Quratulain |first1=Fatima |date=19 September 2017 |work=[[Daily Times (Pakistan)]] |access-date=13 February 2021 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109134711/https://dailytimes.com.pk/116289/forced-conversions-of-pakistani-hindu-girls/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
-On 18 October 2005, Sanno Amra and Champa, a Hindu couple residing in the Punjab Colony, Karachi, Sindh returned home to find that their three teenage daughters had disappeared. After inquiries to the local police, the couple discovered that their daughters had been taken to a local madrassah, had been converted to Islam, and were denied unsupervised contact with their parents.<ref name="usdep">{{cite web|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71443.htm|title=Pakistan|work=U.S. Department of State|access-date=5 May 2015}}</ref> In January 2017, a Hindu temple was demolished in Pakistan's [[Haripur, Pakistan|Haripur]] district.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1302139/minority-rights-another-hindu-temple-demolished/|title=Minority rights: Another Hindu temple demolished – The Express Tribune|date=2017-01-21|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=2017-06-13|language=en-US}}</ref>
+==Legality==
-In July, 2021 over 60 Hindus were converted to Islam in [[Mirpur Khas District]] and [[Mithi]] areas of [[Sindh]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/video/over-60-hindus-forcibly-converted-to-islam-in-pakistan-s-sindh-1826989-2021-07-12|title = Over 60 Hindus forcibly converted to Islam in Pakistan's Sindh}}</ref>
-On 3 January 2020, Pakistani media reported that "scores of protesters surrounded the [[Gurdwara Janam Asthan|Gurdwara Nankana Sahib]], on Friday afternoon, threatening to overrun the holy site if their demands for the release of suspects in an alleged forced conversion case were not met".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1526068|title=Protesters surround Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, disperse after negotiations|website=Dawn.com|date=3 January 2020|language=en|access-date=2020-01-04}}</ref> There were also reports of stone-pelting on the shrine by a mob of angry local Muslims, that even threatened to convert it into a mosque.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/nankana-sahib-gurdwara-stone-pelting-mea-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-6199049/|title=Politicians across spectrum react to Nankana Sahib stone pelting
-|website=Indian Express|date=4 January 2020
-|language=en|access-date=2020-01-04}}</ref>
-In May 2007, members of the Christian community of [[Charsadda]] in the [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|North West Frontier Province]] of Pakistan, close to the border of [[Afghanistan]], reported that they had received letters threatening bombings if they did not convert to Islam, and that the police were not taking their fears seriously.<ref name="Fox News" />
-Rinkle Kumari, a 19-year Pakistani student, Lata Kumari, and Asha Kumari, a Hindu working in a beauty parlor, were allegedly forced to convert from Hinduism to Islam.<ref name="fridaytimesrinkle" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=151043 |title=SC orders release of Rinkle Kumari, others |work=[[Pakistan Observer]]|date=April 19, 2012|access-date=2012-06-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221063358/http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=151043 |archive-date=2014-02-21}}</ref> They told the judge that they wanted to go with their parents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/237575/hindus-pak-happy-girls-statement.html|title=Hindus in Pak happy after girl's statement in SC|date=27 March 2012|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref> Their cases were appealed all the way to the [[Supreme Court of Pakistan]]. The appeal was admitted but remained unheard ever after.<ref name="Curbs on forced conversion"/> Rinkle was abducted by a gang and "forced" to convert to Islam, before being head shaved.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/26/world/asia/pakistani-hindus-say-womans-conversion-to-islam-was-coerced.html|title=Pakistani Hindus Say Woman's Conversion to Islam Was Coerced|first=Declan|last=Walsh|date=25 March 2012|access-date=9 April 2019|website=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
-[[Sikhs]] in [[Hangu District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Hangu district]] stated they were being pressured to convert to Islam by Yaqoob Khan, the assistant commissioner of [[Tall Tehsil]], in December 2017. However, the Deputy Commissioner of Hangu Shahid Mehmood denied it occurred and claimed that Sikhs were offended during a conversation with Yaqub though it was not intentional.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1585150/1-sikh-community-hangu-forced-convert/|title=Sikh community in Hangu 'being forced to convert' |date=16 December 2017|publisher=[[The Express Tribune]]|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/sikhs-in-pakistan-complain-of-pressure-to-convert/story-945AGLoXUjfEam6dZo2KBJ.html|title=Sikhs in Pakistan complain of pressure to convert|date=16 December 2017|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rabwah.net/sikhs-told-convert-islam-pakistani-official/|title=Sikhs told to 'convert to Islam' by Pakistani official|website=[[Rabwah Times]]|date=December 16, 2017|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/pakistan-sikh-minority-forced-conversion/4177063.html|title=Authorities Investigate Cases of Forced Conversion of Sikh Minority in Pakistan|first=Madeeha|last=Anwar|publisher=[[Voice of America]]|work= Extremism Watch Desk|date=December 23, 2017|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref>
-A total of 57 Hindus converted in [[Pasrur]] during May 14–19. On May 14, 35 Hindus of the same family were forced to convert by their employer because his sales dropped after Muslims started boycotting his eatable items as they were prepared by Hindus as well as their persecution by the Muslim employees of neighbouring shops according to their relatives. Since the impoverished Hindu had no other way to earn and needed to keep the job to survive, they converted. 14 members of another family converted on May 17 since no one was employing them, later another Hindu man and his family of eight under pressure from Muslims to avoid their land being grabbed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/15970/57-hindus-convert-to-islam-in-10-days/|title=57 Hindus convert to Islam in 10 days |first=Abdul|last=Manan|date=25 May 2010|website=The Express Tribune|access-date=9 April 2019}}</ref>
-In 2017, the Sikh community in Hangu district of Pakistan's [[Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]] province alleged that they were "being forced to convert to Islam" by a government official. Farid Chand Singh, who filed the complaint, has claimed that Assistant Commissioner Tehsil Tall Yaqoob Khan was allegedly forcing Sikhs to convert to Islam and the residents of Doaba area are being tortured religiously.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/punjab/sikhs-in-pakistan-being-forced-to-convert-to-islam-514699|title=Sikhs in Pakistan 'being forced to convert to Islam'|website=Tribuneindia News Service}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1585150/1-sikh-community-hangu-forced-convert|title=Sikh community in Hangu 'being forced to convert'|date=December 15, 2017|website=The Express Tribune}}</ref> According to reports, about 60 Sikhs of Doaba had demanded security from the administration.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amritsar/conversion-of-pakistan-sikhs-cm-amarinder-seeks-sushmas-help/articleshow/62144128.cms|title=Sushma: 'Conversion' of Pakistan Sikhs: CM Amarinder seeks Sushma's help &#124; Amritsar News – Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref>
-Many Hindus convert to Islam in order to acquire Watan Cards and National Identification Cards. These converts are also given land and money. For example, 428 poor Hindus in Matli were converted between 2009 and 2011 by the Madrassa Baitul Islam, a [[Deobandi]] seminary in Matli, which pays off the debts of Hindus converting to Islam.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/324799/mass-conversions-for-matlis-poor-hindus-lakshmi-lies-in-another-religion|title=Mass conversions: For Matli's poor Hindus, 'lakshmi' lies in another religion|date=January 20, 2012|website=The Express Tribune}}</ref> Another example is the conversion of 250 Hindus to Islam in Chohar Jamali area in [[Thatta]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nation.com.pk/16-Sep-2017/250-hindus-convert-to-islam-in-thatta|title=250 Hindus convert to Islam in Thatta|date=September 16, 2017|website=The Nation}}</ref> Conversions are also carried out by Ex Hindu Baba Deen Mohammad Shaikh mission which converted 108,000 people to Islam since 1989.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/325623/100000-conversions-and-counting-meet-the-ex-hindu-who-herds-souls-to-the-hereafter|title=100,000 conversions and counting, meet the ex-Hindu who herds souls to the Hereafter|date=January 22, 2012|website=The Express Tribune}}</ref>
-In October 2020, the Pakistani High Court upheld the validity of a forced marriage between 44-year-old Ali Azhar and 13-year-old Christian Arzoo Raja. Raja was abducted by Azhar, forcibly wed to Azhar and then forcibly converted to Islam by Azhar.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pakistan high court upholds forced marriage of abducted Catholic minor |url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/pakistan-high-court-upholds-forced-marriage-of-abducted-catholic-minor/ |website=[[Catholic Herald]] |date=October 28, 2020}}</ref>
-On March 21, 2022, another Hindu girl was shot dead in Rohri, Sukkur, Sind for resisting her abduction.<ref name="Soomro 2022">{{cite web | last=Soomro | first=Imdad | title=Hindu girl resisting kidnap bid shot dead in Rohri - Pakistan | website=The News International | date=2022-03-23 | url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/943874-hindu-girl-resisting-kidnap-bid-shot-dead-in-rohri | access-date=2022-03-23}}</ref>
-==Reasons==
-According to the Child Protection activists, these forced conversions money-making network which involves Islamic clerics who solemnize the marriages, magistrates who legalize the unions and corrupt local police who aid the culprits by refusing to investigate or sabotaging investigations. According to the Child Protection activist Jibran Nasir, these forced conversions are part of a mafia that preys on vulnerable minority girls for older men with pedophilia urges.<ref name="KATHY"/> The [[Pakistan Muslim League]] politician Haresh Chopra&nbsp;has stated that abduction and forced conversion of Hindus and Sikhs girls is a business in Pakistan done by organized gangs of mullahs and terrorists.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Abduction-of-Hindus-Sikhs-have-become-a-business-in-Pak-PML-MP/articleshow/9763515.cms|title=Abduction of Hindus, Sikhs have become a business in Pak: PML MP|newspaper=[[Times of India]]|date=28 August 2011|access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref>
-The culprit involved in forcibly converting a non-Muslim girl to Islam believe that they will earn a place in heaven, according to the Amarnath Motumal, vice chairperson of the Sindh Chapter of Pakistan's Human Rights Commission. Pakistan doesn't have stronger legislation to prevent forced conversions and due to this these forced conversions go unabated.<ref name="DW">{{Cite news|url=https://www..dw.com/en/pakistani-court-allows-hindu-girls-to-decide-their-own-fate/a-15891060|title=Pakistani court allows Hindu girls to decide their own fate|newspaper=DW news|date=18 April 2012|access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref>
-Islamic institutions and clerics like [[Abdul Haq (politician)|Abdul Haq (Mitthu Mian)]] (politician and caretaker of [[Bharchundi Shareef Dargah]]) and Pir Ayub Jan Sirhindi (caretaker of Dargah pir sarhandi) are alleged involved in these forced conversions and are known to have support from the ruling political parties of Sindh.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://herald.dawn.com/news/1153061/state-of-fear |title=State of fear|work=[[Herald (Pakistan)]] |first1=Maham |last1=Javaid |date=18 August 2016 |access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref><ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{citation| url=https://nayadaur.tv/2019/09/who-is-mian-mithu/ |title=Who Is Mian Mithu? |first1=Naya |last1=Daur |date=16 September 2019 |access-date=12 June 2020 |work=Naya Daur Media (NDM), Pakistan}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/08/forced-conversions-torment-pakistan-hindus-201481795524630505.html|title=Forced conversions torment Pakistan's Hindus |last=Javaid |first=Maham |date=18 August 2014 |work=[[Al Jazeera]] |access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref>
-Some conversions are forced while some conversions are due to discrimination of poor Hindus in jobs, government facilities and conversion to Islam is seen as a way to avoid religious discrimination and violence.<ref>{{cite news |title=Poor and Desperate, Pakistani Hindus Accept Islam to Get By |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/04/world/asia/pakistan-hindu-conversion.html |work=[[The New York Times]]|date=4 August 2020 |last1=Abi-Habib |first1=Maria |last2=Ur-Rehman |first2=Zia }}</ref>
-==Consequences==
-A survey conducted by the Pakistan Hindu Seva welfare Trust found that majority of the scheduled caste Hindu families doesn't send their girl children to schools due to the fear of forced conversion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/chandigarh/hindu-parents-dont-send-girl-children-to-schools-in-pakistan-survey/articleshow/20431451.cms|title=Hindu parents don't send girl children to schools in Pakistan: Report|author=Yudhvir Rana|date=4 June 2013|access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref> According to the, [[Ramesh Kumar Vankwani]], member of National Assembly of Pakistan, around 5,000 Hindus are migrating from Pakistan to India every year and the forced conversions are one of the major reasons behind this.<ref name="Haider">{{Cite news|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1105830|title=5,000 Hindus migrating to India every year, NA told|last=Haider|first=Irfan|date=13 May 2014|access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref> According to the [[Pakistan Hindu Council]], forced conversions is the foremost reason for the declining population of Hindus in Pakistan.<ref name="auto1"/> Hindus in Sindh live in fear, due to forced marriage of Hindu girls to Muslim men.<ref>{{cite web |title=Forced conversions torment Pakistan's Hindus |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2014/8/18/forced-conversions-torment-pakistans-hindus |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English]]}}</ref> Many Pakistani Hindus migrate to India due to forced conversions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Waves of Hindus trade Pakistan for India |website=[[Deutsche Welle]]|url=https://www.dw.com/en/waves-of-hindus-trade-pakistan-for-india/a-15799122}}</ref>
-==Legal responses==
 [[File:Dalit Sujag Tehreek protesting against Forced Conversion.jpg|thumb|right|280px|[[Dalit Sujag Tehreek]] protesting against forced conversion of [[Dalit]] Hindu girls]]
+Pakistan does not have strong laws designed to prevent coerced religious conversion, which has drawn criticism for allowing coerced conversions to go largely unpunished. <ref name="DW">{{Cite news|url=https://www..dw.com/en/pakistani-court-allows-hindu-girls-to-decide-their-own-fate/a-15891060|title=Pakistani court allows Hindu girls to decide their own fate|newspaper=DW news|date=18 April 2012|access-date=13 February 2021}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
-Pakistan does not have strong enough legislation to prevent forced conversions, due to which the conversions are beieved to go on unabated.<ref name="DW"/>
-In November 2016, a bill against forced conversion was passed unanimously by the Sindh Provisional Assembly. However, the bill failed to make it into law as the Governor returned the bill. The bill was effectively blocked by the Islamist groups and parties like the [[Council of Islamic Ideology]] and [[Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan]].<ref>{{citation| url=https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/college-artslaw/ptr/ciforb/Forced-Conversions-and-Forced-Marriages-in-Sindh.pdf |title=Forced Conversions & Forced Marriages in Sindh, Pakistan |publisher=CIFORB, the [[University of Birmingham]] |first1=Reuben |last1=Ackerman |first2=Javaid |last2=Rehman |first3=Morris |last3=Johns |access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref> In 2019, a bill against forced conversion was proposed by Hindu politicians in the Sindh assembly, but was turned down by the ruling [[Pakistan Peoples Party]] lawmakers.<ref>{{citation |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2075311/1-ppp-lawmakers-turn-bill-forced-conversions/?amp=1 |title=PPP lawmakers turn down bill against forced conversions |first1=Hafeez |last1=Tunio |work=[[The Express Tribune]] |date=9 October 2019 |access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref> In 2020 "Protection of the Rights of Religious Minorities Bill" was introduced in the Senate of Pakistan that could prevent forced conversions of minority girls, but it was turned down by the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony chaired by [[Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F)]] (JUI-F) senator [[Abdul Ghafoor Haideri]]. [[Krishna Kohli|Krishna Kumari Kolhi]], a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator, walked out of the Senate during the meeting as a form of protest.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tribune.com.pk/story/2282277/senate-panel-turns-down-bill-on-minorities-rights%3famp=1|title=Senate panel 'turns down' bill on minorities rights|newspaper=The Tribune|date=2 February 2021|access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref>
+In November 2016, a bill prohibiting forced conversion was passed by the [[Provincial Assembly of Sindh|Sindh Provisional Assembly]] however, the [[Governor of Sindh]] faced pressure from muslim groups not to sign the bill, leading to it not becoming a law.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/college-artslaw/ptr/ciforb/Forced-Conversions-and-Forced-Marriages-in-Sindh.pdf |title=Forced Conversions & Forced Marriages in Sindh, Pakistan |publisher=CIFORB, the [[University of Birmingham]] |first1=Reuben |last1=Ackerman |first2=Javaid |last2=Rehman |first3=Morris |last3=Johns |access-date=13 February 2021 |archive-date=29 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929233258/https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/college-artslaw/ptr/ciforb/Forced-Conversions-and-Forced-Marriages-in-Sindh.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2020 a bill aimed at preventing coerced conversions was introduced in the Senate of Pakistan that could prevent forced conversions of minority girls, but it was turned down by the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony. [[Krishna Kohli|Krishna Kumari Kolhi]], a  Hindu [[Pakistan People's Party|Pakistan Peoples Party]] Senator, walked out of the Senate during the meeting as a form of protest.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tribune.com.pk/story/2282277/senate-panel-turns-down-bill-on-minorities-rights%3famp=1|title=Senate panel 'turns down' bill on minorities rights|newspaper=The Tribune|date=2 February 2021|access-date=13 February 2021|archive-date=28 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928094958/https://tribune.com.pk/story/2282277/senate-panel-turns-down-bill-on-minorities-rights%3Famp=1|url-status=live}}</ref>
 ==Response==
 [[File:Protest against forced conversion of Christian girls in Pakistan.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Protest against forced conversion of Christian girls in Pakistan organised by [[National Commission for Justice and Peace|NCJP]]]]
-The Pakistani Nobel Laurette [[Malala Yousafzai]] spoke against forced conversions in Pakistan and said "It should be a personal choice and no one, especially a child shouldn’t be forced to accept any faith or convert to any other religion out of the will,"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailytimes.com.pk/424423/malala-yousafzai-speakes-about-her-perceptive-on-childs-marriage/amp/|title=I strongly condemn any incident where girls are forced to get married: Malala|newspaper=Daily Times|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref> The Pakistani Prime minister Imran Khan has said that forced conversions are 'un-Islamic'<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/forced-conversions-are-un-islamic-says-imran-khan/article28750491.ece/amp/|title=Forced conversions are 'un-Islamic', says Imran Khan|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref> and are against the commands of Allah.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.samaa.tv/news/2017/10/forced-conversions-are-against-the-commands-of-allah-imran/amp/|title=Forced conversions are against the commands of Allah: Imran|newspaper=SAMAA|date=24 October 2017|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref> The Deputy Leader of [[Conservative Party of Canada]] [[Candice Bergen (politician)|Candice Bergen]] has said that "The reports coming out of Pakistan of Christian and Hindu girls being abducted, raped, forced into marriages and coerced to convert from their faith are deeply concerning and need to be addressed". She also called for the re-establishment of [[Office of Religious Freedom (Canada)|Office of Religious Freedom]] in Canada to address the issue.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nationalpost.com/news/politics/attacks-on-minority-women-in-pakistan-spark-calls-to-reopen-office-of-religious-freedoms-closed-by-liberals/wcm/2d3f5964-bf45-4c82-95f3-2000cc14b5a5/amp/|title=Attacks on minority women in Pakistan spark calls to reopen Office of Religious Freedoms closed by Liberals|newspaper=National post|author=Zeenya Shah|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref>
+The Pakistani Nobel Laurette [[Malala Yousafzai]] spoke against forced conversions in Pakistan and said "It should be a personal choice and no one, especially a child shouldn’t be forced to accept any faith or convert to any other religion out of the will,"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailytimes.com.pk/424423/malala-yousafzai-speakes-about-her-perceptive-on-childs-marriage/amp/|title=I strongly condemn any incident where girls are forced to get married: Malala|newspaper=Daily Times|access-date=12 April 2021|archive-date=12 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412125526/https://dailytimes.com.pk/424423/malala-yousafzai-speakes-about-her-perceptive-on-childs-marriage/amp/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Pakistani Prime minister Imran Khan has said that forced conversions are 'un-Islamic'<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/forced-conversions-are-un-islamic-says-imran-khan/article28750491.ece/amp/|title=Forced conversions are 'un-Islamic', says Imran Khan|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=12 April 2021|archive-date=12 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412125519/https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/forced-conversions-are-un-islamic-says-imran-khan/article28750491.ece/amp/|url-status=live}}</ref> and are against the commands of Allah.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.samaa.tv/news/2017/10/forced-conversions-are-against-the-commands-of-allah-imran/amp/|title=Forced conversions are against the commands of Allah: Imran|newspaper=SAMAA|date=24 October 2017|access-date=12 April 2021|archive-date=12 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412125520/https://www.samaa.tv/news/2017/10/forced-conversions-are-against-the-commands-of-allah-imran/amp/|url-status=live}}</ref>
-Pakistan has no law to stop forced conversion.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hindu Today, Muslim Tomorrow |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/08/hindu-muslim-pakistan/536238/ |publisher=The Atlantic}}</ref> The Pakistani minority groups protested when Pakistani parliamentary committee rejected the anti forced conversion bill.<ref>{{cite web |title=Parliamentary panel rejects anti-forced conversion bill amid protest by minorities' lawmakers |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1651813 |publisher=Dawn}}</ref>
+[[Candice Bergen (politician)|Candice Bergen]], the Deputy Leader of [[Conservative Party of Canada]], has commented that "The reports coming out of Pakistan of Christian and Hindu girls being abducted, raped, forced into marriages and coerced to convert from their faith are deeply concerning and need to be addressed". She also called for the re-establishment of [[Office of Religious Freedom (Canada)|Office of Religious Freedom]] in Canada to address the issue.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nationalpost.com/news/politics/attacks-on-minority-women-in-pakistan-spark-calls-to-reopen-office-of-religious-freedoms-closed-by-liberals/wcm/2d3f5964-bf45-4c82-95f3-2000cc14b5a5/amp/|title=Attacks on minority women in Pakistan spark calls to reopen Office of Religious Freedoms closed by Liberals|newspaper=National post|author=Zeenya Shah|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref>
-The All Pakistan Hindu Panchayat (APHP) general secretary, who in an interview with ''The Times of India'' said the "majority of cases of marriages between Hindu women and Muslim men were result of love affairs. He claimed that due to honor, the family members of women concoct stories of abduction and forced conversions". While the general secretary admitted that there were incidents of abductions and forced conversions of Hindu girls, he claimed that those incidents are not in large numbers.<ref name="Yudhvir Rana (January 30th, 2020).">{{cite news|last1=Rana|first1=Yudhvir|date=30 January 2020|title=Most marriages between Hindu women and Muslim men result of love affairs, not abduction, says All Pakistan Hindu Panchayat|work=[[The Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amritsar/most-marriages-between-hindu-women-and-muslim-men-result-of-love-affairs-not-abduction/articleshow/73747515.cms|access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref>
 ==See also==