A Tando Allahyar court in Sindh, Pakistan, has ordered two minor sisters, allegedly abducted and converted, into a government safe house rather than returning them to their family. The decision faces opposition from rights activists who argue it violates the Sindh Child Marriages Restraint Act, which sets the legal age of marriage at 18.
A court in Tando Allahyar, Sindh, has directed two minor sisters from the Kachhi Kolhi community, identified as 13-year-old Seeta and 14-year-old Rupi, to be placed in a state-run safe house. This decision follows allegations that the minors were abducted, forcibly converted to Islam, and married against their will. The court order, which opted for state custody instead of returning the girls to their parents, has drawn immediate criticism from human rights observers and community advocates.
The core of the legal dispute centers on the protection of minors under local legislation. Critics and legal experts argue that the court's decision contradicts the Sindh Child Marriages Restraint Act of 2013, which mandates that the minimum age for marriage in the province is 18 years for both genders. By not reuniting the minors with their legal guardians, activists claim the judiciary has failed to provide necessary protections, raising concerns about potential outside influence on the statements provided by the girls while they remain in state facilities.
This incident is being viewed by human rights groups as part of a recurring pattern affecting marginalized groups, including the Bheel and Meghwar communities in the Sindh province. Reports from local activists highlight a concerning frequency of disappearances and forced conversions within the Tando Allahyar district, where minority populations often face significant legal and political challenges. International organizations have frequently raised alarms regarding the systemic treatment of religious minorities in the region, focusing on issues ranging from forced conversions to property disputes.
The case is currently pending the completion of a medical age-determination report, which is expected to be a critical factor in the next legal steps. Until this report is finalized and presented to the court, the sisters will remain in the government-appointed safe house. The legal process and the ability of the judicial system to uphold child protection laws in this case will be the primary monitorable for observers and activists tracking the safety of religious minorities in the area.