Article source: www.claas.org.uk
A 14-year-old Christian boy from Sargodha, Punjab, has reportedly converted to Islam under questionable circumstances, raising serious concerns among human rights organisations and minority rights advocates. The boy, Shamraiz Masih, went missing on 21 July after leaving home to buy household items and failed to return. His family subsequently filed a police complaint at the Ariyan Area Police Station, alleging that he had been abducted by unknown individuals.
In response, police registered an FIR (No. 1089/25) under Section 365 of the Pakistan Penal Code, treating the incident as a case of abduction. However, just days later, a written statement—reportedly recorded under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code—surfaced, in which the boy, now identifying himself as “Muhammad Umar,” claimed he had embraced Islam of his own free will and had left home due to threats from his family.
In his statement, Shamraiz said he had been influenced by Islamic teachings and his surrounding environment, asserting that no one had kidnapped or coerced him. He further alleged that his family had become hostile towards him since his conversion and were now attempting to falsely implicate others through a fabricated police case.
His mother, however, has strongly rejected these claims, insisting that her son is a minor and incapable of making such a life-altering decision independently. “My son is only 14 and doesn’t fully understand the consequences of such choices. He has been misled and used. This is not his voice—someone else is speaking through him,” she said in a tearful video message.
Legal experts have also raised alarm over the legitimacy of the statement. Under Pakistani law, individuals under the age of 18 are considered minors and therefore cannot legally change their religion or make independent decisions without parental consent. Human rights activists argue that the boy’s statement may have been given under pressure or manipulation, and they are calling for urgent intervention under child protection laws.
“This is a deeply troubling situation,” said Nasir Saeed, Director of CLAAS-UK (Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement). “When a 14-year-old child disappears and reappears with a new religious identity while disowning his family, the state must intervene with caution and responsibility. Such cases require immediate judicial oversight and child protection—not merely a written statement taken at face value.”
Saeed further warned that this is not an isolated incident but part of a growing trend in which underage Christian and Hindu girls—and now even boys—are being abducted, coerced, or manipulated into religious conversions under the guise of free will. “There is a legal and moral duty upon the state to protect the vulnerable, especially children. Accepting such conversions without proper legal scrutiny sets a dangerous precedent and undermines Pakistan’s obligations under both domestic law and international human rights treaties.”
Nasir Saeed has urged authorities to thoroughly investigate the circumstances under which Shamraiz was found and his statement recorded, and to prioritise the child’s safety and well-being above all else. Meanwhile, his family remains in deep distress, pleading for his immediate recovery and an impartial inquiry into the incident.
This latest case has once again brought renewed focus to the persistent issue of forced religious conversions in Pakistan—particularly involving minors from vulnerable minority communities. Despite rising international pressure and condemnation, the practice continues to grow in both frequency and controversy.
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Date published: 26/07/2025
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only. Artwork from www.freepik.com
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