Top Pakistani court to hear case of Christian child bride

Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court on Friday will hear an appeal from the family of Maria Shahbaz, a Christian girl who was forced into marriage and conversion to Islam at age 13, according to Alliance Defending Freedom International. Shahbaz’s husband and abductor is a 30-year-old Muslim man.

Despite Pakistani laws prohibiting child marriage and conversion, the Federal Constitutional Court earlier this year ruled that Shahbaz must stay with her abductor rather than return to her family. However, the court did not verify her age as required by law, according to ADF. Shahbaz’s lawyers planned to resubmit evidence that she was a minor and her marriage certificate was forged, according to ADF.

The European Parliament recently called on the Pakistani government to ensure fair treatment for Shahbaz and crack down on child marriage and religious persecution. Europe threatened political consequences, including higher tariffs, if the Pakistani government failed to make changes.

Dig deeper: Read my report on the European Parliament’s resolution for more details.