Pakistani court rules forced conversion and marriage of Catholic girl, 14, legal

The Sindh High Court has dismissed a petition to overturn the marriage and forced conversion of a 14-year-old Catholic girl.

Huma Younas was abducted last October and forced to marry a Muslim.
But the court ruled that because she had reached adulthood, both the marriage and conversion were valid.

Her lawyers said that if necessary they will take the case to the Supreme Court.
Huma’s family lives in Zia Colony, a district of Karachi, whilst her husband-abductor is from Dera Gazi Khan, Punjab.

The legal process has been long and subject to repeated delays.
Huma was supposed to attend court for the last hearing, but she was not presented, meaning she could not give evidence.

In an affidavit, Huma claims she has married of her own free will, but the document lacks the number of the identity card issued when people reach the age of 18.

Sindh province passed the Child Marriage Restraint Act, which bans child marriages, but has failed to enforce it.

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