‘Convert or suffer’: Pakistan’s Christian and Hindu children trapped in forced conversions and child labour rings

A report by Pakistan’s National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) exposes severe discrimination against Christian and Hindu children. These minority children face forced conversions, child marriages, and bonded labour, especially in Punjab, which accounts for 40% of reported violence. Between April 2023 and December 2024, 27 official complaints were filed, though actual cases are likely underreported. Abductions of underage girls for conversion and marriage to older Muslim men are common. The education system compounds exclusion, forcing non-Muslim students to study Islamic content, leading to alienation and poor performance. Minority children are often ridiculed, denied access to shared resources, and pressured to convert. Bonded labour in brick kilns and agriculture traps many in generational poverty. The NCRC urges legal reforms, inclusive education, and enforcement of child protection laws. However, progress remains slow due to weak coordination and limited political will. The report calls for urgent action from both Pakistan and the global community.

Source:https://www.hornbilltv.com/topstories/convert-or-suffer-plight-of-pakistans-christian-and-hindu-children–10663