MIRPUR (AJK) - Pakistan United Christian Movement Chairman Albert David alleged that non-Muslims were being forced to convert to Islam across the country, and appealed to the chief justice of Pakistan to take notice of the alleged forced conversion.
Mr David expressed deep concern over a report released by Movement for Solidarity and Peace, saying that an estimated 1,000 Christian and Hindu women were married by Muslims after their conversion every year in the country.
In a press statement issued here Friday, the PUCM chief demanded that special measure should be taken to ensure that the conversion were not forced, and if the allegation proved, the perpetrators should be tried and sentenced according to the local laws. He also stressed a need for a specific ordinance to stop “forced” conversion. He urged the non-Muslims parliamentarians to work towards bringing in a law in this regard.
“This is an alarming situation, allegedly forcing someone into a marriage is not only violation of the Constitution and the human rights but also against Islamic Shariah and a criminal offence under the local laws,” David observed, “Non-Muslim Pakistanis are already victims of constitutional injustice and inequality coupled with and socio-political discrimination.”
He asserted that the report further strengthened their (minorities) claim of social insecurity and increased attitude of extremism in the society by certain elements.