Hyderabad, Pakistan: October 25, 2014. (Abbas Kassar) South Asia Partnership Pakistan (SAP-PK) conducted follow up meeting of consultation on draft of force marriage and conversion under Right of Expression, Association, Assembly and Thoughts REAT) on 24, October, 2014 at Regent Plaza Hotel Karachi Sindh Pakistan. The Main objectives of follow up are to assess the issues of force marriage and conversion, design strategies and recommendation about draft of force marriage and conversion at provincial assembly on legislation and bills for countering the force marriage and conversion issues of religious minorities. The meeting attended by Rochiram Advocate, Muhammad Hussain Maehnati X MPA of Jamait Islami , Ravi Dawani General secretary of all Hindu Pnchait of Pakistan, Shahnaz Sheedi provincial coordinator SAP PK , Rafia Gulani , Dr Jaipal Chaberia , HRCP, Saleem Michial ,Maria Ismile, Awami Awaz, Abdul Rasheed Pirzada, barner Newton advocate, Irshad Junejo SAP PK, Shahid Jameel SAP PK and others have contributed in protection measures of force marriage and conversion in Sindh Pakistan. On this occasion Ms Shahnaz Sheedi Provincial coordinator, SAP- PK presented that that force marriage and conversion are major issues of religious minorities in Sindh and increasing rapidly. She further said that today we will discuss about draft of force marriage and conversion which prevent the religious communities and counter the issues of religious communities. She further presented that cases of force marriage and conversion are reported in assessment of South Asia partnership Pakistan that 260 cases in Punjab, 69 in Sindh 39 KPK and 6 in Baluchistan . This follow meeting will discussed on core issues of force marriage and conversion which will help to counter in draft. She said that political parties, media and civil society organization develop consensus about force marriage protection measures and final draft will be submitted to provincial assembly for legislation. Paras a Hindu Girls Paras have shared the Bhajan for celebrating the Deewali festivals of Hindu communities. She has engaged the groups of girls and boys of Hindu religion and prays for prosperity and equality in land of sufis. They transferred the message of Ram Bhagwan of truth. This event celebrated in success of Ram Baghwan. This is message of change and elimination of sorrow and atrocities. The groups also sung the Bhajan in success of Bhagwan ram. Mr. Michael Saleem said that force marriage and conversion is major issues of religious communities, he said that supreme court of Pakistan has gave judgment it is social issues not religious minorities issues of Pakistan. He said that we are condemning the judgment of Supreme Court. He said that this kind of issues referred to human rights and he will share the national and provincial assemblies of Pakistan. He said that there is need of law on force marriage and conversion. He said that force marriage and conversion issues exist in Pakistan. He said that minorities’ girls are kidnapped, sexually harassed and converted. The kidnapper threats of killing to the girls and her families. Mostly girls withdraw the cases and accept the Islam. The under section CPR Ravi Dawani General secretary of All Hindu Painchait Pakistan said that force marriage and conversion issues exist in society. He said that role of media is very important which can telecast the positive role in society. He said that on eve of deewali 14000 workers have not given salaries for celebration. He said there many laws exist but not implemented which major issues of Pakistan. Pakistan is 23 ranking who are killing the citizens. He said that Hindu girls have been kidnapped and parents are facing issues. He said that if a religious leader is involved in force marriage and conversion, he should be punishing accordingly. He said that schools are not religious places which are teaching the religions. He further that Article 29 of CRC is emphasis that it guaranteed that every child have basic rights and elimination of discrimination on basis religion. Constitution of Pakistan is also providing freedom of religion but not implemented. Converted girls /women should have permission to meet with parents. Converted women and girls should be available during the case hearing in courts and submit the statement in written in front of judicial magistrate. Complaint mechanism of converted girls should be placed for satisfaction of parents. Muhammad Hussain Mehnati said that force marriage and conversion is sensitive issues. The societal trends are contributing this kind of issues in Pakistan. The education setup has liberty and freedom of choice. Force marriage is found with in religion and other religions. He said that Pakistan is Muslim dominant state where Hindu is claiming that our Hindu girls are forcedly converted. Islam is stable religion and any individuals should thinks about before accepting the Islam. He said that every citizen has rights change the religion and freedom of expression. He said that if any force marriage and conversion issue exist in Pakistan than we have to tale collective efforts to design draft of force marriage and conversion for legislation. Ms. Rafia Gulani women rights activist said that why women are restricted at all level; Due to poor legislation and implementation of existing law in Pakistan. She said that women are dominant by religions and feudal lords. She added that state should implement the law for protection of citizens. She said that we have lacking legal protection that’s why they are using the religious protection which is increasing the issues of all citizens and mostly Hindu communities in Pakistan. Dr. Jaipal Chaberia member of human rights commission of Pakistan said that why only hindu are converted. He aid that our girls are kidnapped and sexually harassed and forcedly converted. He shared the situation of Hindu communities that schedule caste women and girls are very and have much influence of religious leaders. He added still there is no legislation on force marriage and conversion and Hindu girls are killed in name the religion discrimination. Force marriage law should be implemented. It will be restricted under age of 18 years as exist in law. He said that government should form the committee for protection of converted girls of religious communities. He said that we are all equal as well as all religions are equal. Rochiram South Asia partnership Pakistan said that forced religious conversion is major issues of religious minorities and mostly are facing at large scale. It was only discussed in assemblies but not recognize as severe issues. The Hindu communities are migrating from fear and insecurity at grass root level. He added that district Government or police department are in under pressure of political and religious influential and not taking action against culprits of force marriage and conversion in Sindh . He said that due to forced religious conversion of minority girls and their kidnapping have spread wave of fear and discomfort among the minorities. He urged the house to make such legislation to determine the minimum age for marriage and also effective law to determine the age of kidnapped girls.