Hyderabad, Sindh🇵🇰- The medical report of Pooja Meghwar, a Hindu girl from Sindh, has been made public, confirming her age as 15 years old. This declaration has reignited public outrage and legal action in a case that has become emblematic of the broader issue of forced conversions and child marriages in Pakistan.
Medical Report Confirms Minor Status
According to medical professionals, Pooja Meghwar has been officially declared a minor. This finding has prompted authorities to register a new First Information Report (FIR) under the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act against:
- Ilahi Bakhsh Shar, the man who married Pooja,
- The cleric who solemnized the marriage,
- The two witnesses present at the ceremony.
A Case That Shook the Nation
Pooja Meghwar’s ordeal began in March 2021, when she was allegedly abducted from Husri town in Hyderabad district at the age of 13. Reports indicate that she was forcibly converted to Islam and married off, despite being a minor and employed at a textile mill at the time.
The Fight for Justice
Pooja’s father initially struggled to file a complaint, facing bureaucratic hurdles and indifference. It was only after intervention from Hindu community leader that an FIR was registered. The case gained further traction when Darawar Itehad Pakistan, a lawyer representing the Hindu community, presented Pooja’s child registration document as evidence of her minority.
Court Intervention and Controversy
In October 2025, a court ordered Pooja to be placed in a safe house while a medical examination was conducted to verify her age. The court’s decision followed a dramatic scene during a hearing, where Pooja reportedly ran to her parents—only for the accused and their supporters to allegedly create an atmosphere of intimidation within the courtroom itself.
“If these individuals can display such power inside the court, what will happen to her outside? They claim to provide protection, but the truth is, power rules, and the weak suffer.” – Mir Keeryo, Community Activist
A Broader Crisis
Pooja Meghwar’s case is not an isolated incident. It reflects a disturbing pattern of abductions, forced conversions, and marriages of young Hindu girls in Sindh province. Activists and human rights organizations have long called for stricter enforcement of laws protecting minors and religious minorities.
The Road Ahead
With the medical report now confirming Pooja’s age, legal proceedings are expected to intensify. Advocates demand:
- Swift justice for Pooja and her family,
- Accountability for those involved in her abduction and forced marriage,
- Systemic reforms to prevent such cases in the future.
Pooja’s story is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by minority communities in Pakistan—and the urgent need for societal and legal change.
What are your thoughts on this case? How can society better protect vulnerable girls like Pooja? Share your views in the comments below.
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.
