News desk
Mian Channu/Lahore: Human rights and civil society groups have condemned a judicial decision granting custody of a 16-year-old minor girl, Minahil_ Nadeem, to Shazia Mai, a stranger with links to the accused, calling it “unlawful” and a violation of child-protection principles. The groups urged authorities to amend FIR No. 507/26, registered at Police Station Saddar, Mian Channu under Section 365-B, to include Section 376(iii) of the Pakistan Penal Code. They also demanded the girl’s immediate return to her legal guardians and prosecution of all perpetrators. Police recovered the minor two weeks after her abduction and arrested accused Ansar Allah Ditta, now jailed in Khanewal. During proceedings, Advocate Hanif Hameed Mattu argued that a minor lacks legal capacity to marry or change religion independently. Citing the Lahore High Court’s W.P. No. 45156 of 2019 by Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh, he sought custody restoration to the parents. On 23 June 2026, Judicial Magistrate Sohail Anjum released Minahil from Dar-ul-Aman, Khanewal, to Shazia Mai’s custody under police protection, after the girl stated she was converted and threatened by her family and lawyer. Advocates allege the magistrate dictated these statements. Joseph Jansen of Voice for Justice flagged possible duress and undue influence, noting the custody order disregards safeguards for victims. Advocate Mattu cited medical findings indicating sexual activity and said the circumstances point to sexual exploitation during illegal confinement, without a lawful marriage. The groups warned that impunity in abduction, forced conversion, and child marriage cases continues to endanger minority girls. They called for impartial investigations, fair trials, and remedies for victims, stressing that laws on early marriage and sexual violence must be enforced “in letter and spirit.” *Name changed for protection
