Minorities’ women are kidnapped and forced to marry Muslims in Pakistan. Modern Tokyo Times report

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Farah Hatim 24, a Christian resident of Rahim Yar Khan in the South Punjab was abducted on 8th May 2011 by Zeehan Ilyas and his brothers Imran and Gulfam. After this, she was forced to convert to Islam and marry Zeehan Ilyas. Human rights organizations and the Catholic Church have condemned the act and demanded action against the violation of her human rights. Sadly this reality happens all too often in Pakistan and religious minorities reside in fear because legal institutions and other institutions are either not taking the issue seriously or they don’t have the resources to challenge this problem? Justice and Peace Commission are leading the case and they took the case to the session court under the FIR, Case No. 150/11 US/ 365-B CR.PC. The police have been threatening the family since then because of the religious angle. The Session Judge, Khawaja Mir, has transfered the case to the High Court for hearing due to the sensitivity of the matter. Therefore, the Session Judge, Khawaja Mir, did view the seriousness of this case because the judge acted properly. This applies to the High Court being a much higher authority. Once the appeal was taken to the High Court it was presented by the Justice and Peace Commission and APMA (All Pakistan Minorities Alliance). Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman from the High Court Bahawalpur bench had instructed the district police officer based in Rahim Yar Khan, and the families involved in the case, to appear before the court on 20th July 2011. The Judge questioned Farah Hatim if she was kidnapped or went with Zeehan Ilyas by her own free will, after a few moments of silence, she said, “I went with my own will”. After a few questions, the judge announced that Farah will be living with her new family. Farah Hatim broke into tears as the court announced the decision. It is unclear if the High Court took note of other cases involving women who have been kidnapped or if the High Court took into account the consideration of fear? Farah Hatim was allowed a few moments to meet her family. Hatim`s brother said, “I am shocked at what Farah said in the court, she is under threat, now all hopes are gone for her return. Why us? Why did we have to face this? Only because we are Christians (that we are treated like this)?” According to the Justice and Peace Commission, “Farah became a victim of the racket that is involved in prostitution. Zeehan IIyas had tried to force her into prostitution while she was a student at the Sheikh Zaid Medical College in Rahim Yar Khan, but she refused. Then Zeehan IIyas took his revenge. The current decision by Farah is possibly because she is pregnant and fears that her family will be killed if she tries to go back. Therefore, even if she had taken a brave stance of returning, she wouldn’t have been accepted by society as she was kidnapped and raped. The fear of rejection is also a possible reason?” The Justice and Peace Commission commented that “Thousands of girls from minorities are kidnapped and forced into marriages (against their will).” The Justice and Peace Commission also stated that “We are fighting against the cancer of kidnapping and forced marriages.” Therefore, the legal system and other important institutions are failing all religious minorities in Pakistan and women can become victims at any time. The Hatim family in despair is appealing to the high authorities to take action and to implement laws against forced marriages, which convert minorities (to Islam). “We don’t want this to happen to any other girl again, we have lost our sister, we know how it feels, the pain is unexplainable, we are targeted because we are minorities, we demand the government not to abandon the minorities.” said Farah’s elder brother with tears in his eyes outside the court.

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"Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation" By Nazir S Bhatti

On demand of our readers, I have decided to release E-Book version of "Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation" on website of PCP which can also be viewed on website of Pakistan Christian Congress www.pakistanchristiancongress.org . You can read chapter wise by clicking tab on left handside of PDF format of E-Book.

nazirbhattipcc@aol.com , pakistanchristianpost@yahoo.com