Islamabad: The Federal Constitutional Court has disposed of a custody petition filed by the parents of Sonia, a Christian girl from Lahore who converted to Islam and adopted the Muslim name “Ayesha,” allowing her to live according to her wishes after determining that she is legally an adult. 

The case was heard by a two-member bench headed by Justice Aamer Farooq on May 21, 2026. During the hearing, the Additional Advocate General Punjab informed the court that an ossification test had been conducted to determine Sonia’s age following discrepancies between official documents and claims made before the court. 

According to the medical report submitted before the court, Sonia’s age was assessed between 19 and 19 and a half years. Justice Aamer Farooq observed that since she was an adult, she had the legal right to decide where and with whom she wished to live. The court also directed Sonia, now called Ayesha, to cooperate if her parents wished to meet her. 

Sonia had earlier been shifted to Dar-ul-Aman under court orders until the final disposal of the case. 

The decision has sparked mixed reactions among Pakistan’s Christian community and organisations concerned about increasing reports of conversions and marriages involving vulnerable Christian and Hindu girls. 

Nasir Saeed, Director of CLAAS-UK, said the case had gone through a long legal journey and that the organisation respected the court’s final decision. 

 “We accept and are satisfied with the court’s decision considering the medical report and Sonia’s assessed age,” he said. “However, we are disappointed that the court did not accept or rely upon the NADRA records, which reportedly showed her age as 15 years.” 

He added that once the ossification test assessed Sonia’s age between 19 and 19 and a half years, the court considered her legally an adult and therefore free to decide her future independently. 

“At this stage, there were very limited legal options available,” Saeed stated. “We all know that forced conversions continue to happen in Pakistan, particularly involving vulnerable minority girls, and these incidents must be stopped. We will continue our efforts, advocacy, and legal support until such practices come to an end.” 

 Saeed further said that when he first saw Sonia during court proceedings, she appeared fearful and emotionally distressed. 

“I personally felt that Sonia may have been under fear or psychological pressure,” he said. “There is a strong possibility that she may have been told that if she leaves Islam and reconverts to Christianity, she would become an apostate and could face severe consequences. Such fears can deeply affect vulnerable girls and may prevent them from returning to their parents and families even if they wish to do so.” 

Nasir Saeed also called for stronger legal safeguards, transparent age verification procedures, and greater protection for vulnerable minority girls across Pakistan, saying such cases continue to create fear and insecurity among religious minority families. 

About CLAAS: 

Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) is an interdenominational organization working for Christians who are being persecuted because of their faith in Pakistan. CLAAS works for religious freedom, to stop persecution of Christians in Pakistan because of blasphemy and other discriminatory laws, raise awareness, disseminate information and highlight the plight of Christians on an international level. CLAAS provides free legal aid to victims of religious intolerance in Pakistan, as well as shelter and financial support for the victims and their families.