Alina Masih allegedly Abducted, Forcibly Converted, and Married: Parents Seek Her Return Amid Legal Disputes

News Desk

Islamabad:

Alina Masih, a 14-year-old girl, was reportedly abducted from her home and taken to Rawalpindi, where she was allegedly converted to Islam and married to a man named Haider on June 25. A case regarding her abduction was registered at the Khanna police station. On July 28, Alina was recovered following a directive from the Islamabad High Court and placed in the Child Protection Institute after appearing in court on August 2.

There has been controversy over Alina’s age. A bone test initially suggested that she was between 17 and 22 years old, but a medical board later revised this estimate to between 15 and 17 years. However, official records from NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) show that Alina was born on March 13, 2010, confirming her age as 14.

On September 10, a writ petition (No. 2635) was filed in the Islamabad High Court requesting that Alina be returned to her parents. Notices were issued on September 12, and the next hearing was scheduled for September 18.

When Alina’s parents arrived for the hearing on September 18, expecting to take custody of their daughter, they discovered that the accused had taken her from the Child Protection Institute on September 13, based on an order from the Section 30 Magistrate. The court has since scheduled a further hearing for October 2.

Alina’s parents insist that their daughter is 14 years old and should be returned to them. They have raised concerns about how the Child Protection Institute released her to the accused while legal proceedings are ongoing in both the Islamabad High Court and Sessions Court.

During a press conference, human rights activists Farhatullah Babar, Tahira Abdullah, Rumana Bashar , and Safdar Chaudhry spoke out about the issue of forced conversions and early marriages, particularly affecting minority communities. They emphasized that since Alina is a minor, her marriage should be annulled, and called for her immediate recovery and return to her family.

Safdar Chaudhry, Chairman of the Rah Najat Ministry of Pakistan, expressed concern over the handling of the case and demanded that the authorities act swiftly to ensure justice for Alina, in a press statement.