Pakistani court will hear case of 13-year-old Christian girl forcibly ‘married’ to Muslim man– www.lifesitenews.com

ISLAMABAD (Alliance Defending Freedom) — In Pakistan, the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) will hear a review petition in the case of Maria Shahbaz on July 24. The FCC is the highest court in Pakistan that hears constitutional cases. The hearing follows a previous ruling from the court, which returned the custody of 13-year-old Maria Shahbaz back to her 30-year-old kidnapper, Shehryar Ahmad.

The outcome of the case could go on to establish a precedent with stronger protections against child marriage in Pakistan.

“This case is a crucial moment in the movement to protect young girls from the crisis of forced marriage in Pakistan. We hope that Pakistan’s highest court will soon agree to review Maria’s case and re-examine the evidence that was previously relied upon by the lower courts. Maria must be freed and safely returned to her family, where she will be safe from harm and able to practice her Christian faith.” — Tehmina Arora, director of Advocacy for Asia at ADF