Burewala, Punjab — June 11, 2025
In a harrowing case that has again brought attention to the plight of religious minorities in Pakistan, 14-year-old Elishba Adnan, a Christian girl from Burewala, Punjab, was abducted from her home by a 26-year-old Muslim man, Babar Mukhtar.
Elishba’s father, Adnan Masih, immediately reported her disappearance to the City Police Station, but despite his desperate pleas, police refused to register a First Information Report (FIR)—a legal right of any citizen reporting a crime.
A Father’s Fight for His Daughter
With police refusing to take action, Masih turned to Albert Patras, a human rights advocate from Vehari District, for support. “After his own efforts failed, Masih reached out to us,” said Patras. “When we approached the police, they claimed Elishba had converted to Islam and married her abductor willingly — a common justification used in similar cases involving underage minority girls.”
When Patras demanded proof of conversion and marriage documents, the police refused to share any evidence.
Legal Rights Ignored, A Crime Protected
Despite multiple appeals to senior officers, no FIR has been filed to date, effectively giving the abductor time to coerce or manipulate Elishba, potentially falsifying documents to shield himself from legal consequences. “This delay allowed the suspect to entrap a minor under the pretense of religion and marriage,” said Patras.
Elishba, only 14, was withdrawn from school to help care for her newborn twin brothers at home. Her father said she was emotionally vulnerable and may have been easily influenced or threatened.
“We do not know if he seduced or blackmailed her, but it is abduction, plain and simple. She’s a child,” said Masih. “Our lives have been shattered. If the police had acted swiftly, maybe she would be with us today.”
A Pattern of Injustice
Unfortunately, Elishba’s story is not unique. Dozens of Christian and Hindu girls in Pakistan—often minors—have reportedly been abducted, forcibly converted, and married off to older men under dubious legal and religious claims. The failure of law enforcement, compounded by religious bias, leaves families helpless and victims without a voice.
A Call for Accountability
Patras and other advocates now demand that Babar Mukhtar be charged under relevant laws, including:
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Abduction
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Child Marriage Restraint Act
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Forced Conversion
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Sexual exploitation of a minor
They are also calling on Punjab authorities and federal human rights bodies to ensure justice for Elishba and hold the police accountable for dereliction of duty.
Conclusion: Who Will Protect Pakistan’s Daughters?
Elishba Adnan’s disappearance reflects a systemic failure—where religious minorities are denied equal protection under the law, and minor girls are exploited in the name of religion and impunity.
As her family prays for her safety, one question remains:
How many more daughters must vanish before justice is no longer delayed, denied, or distorted?
For more updates and detailed coverage of this case and other issues affecting the Hindu and Sindhi communities in Sindh, Pakistan, stay tuned to Sindh Renaissance.
