In a troubling trend of incidents targeting religious minorities, a 14-year-old Muskan Kumari have reportedly been abducted from Dholi Chowk, Ghouspur in Pakistan’s Sindh province. This has reignited concerns over forced conversions and the safety of minority communities.

Earlier, on July 4, a 10-year-old Jamuna Kohli, daughter of a Hindu laborer, was also kidnapped from her home in Goth Bhatiyani, near Khipro in Sanghar District.

These cases follow a distressing pattern seen in the region. Young girls, often between 12 and 15 years old, are reportedly kidnapped, forcibly converted to Islam, and married to their abductors or other Muslim men.

When families report these abductions, they often face counter-accusations of harassment from the kidnappers, who claim the marriages are consensual. The victims’ families say that the girls are subjected to threats and intimidation while in captivity, leading many to testify in favor of their abductors when brought before authorities.

The vulnerability of minority communities in Pakistan, particularly Hindu girls, to abduction, rape and forced conversion is heart wrenching. The cases highlight the ongoing challenges faced by religious minorities in Pakistan, particularly the Hindu community who are called “kafirs” in Sindh.

A protest took place at Teen Talwar in Karachi on Friday, demanding the recovery of nine-year-old Priya Kumari, who disappeared from Sukkur, Sindh, three years ago.

The protest saw participation from women and children holding placards with messages calling for Priya’s return. Social media videos showed police using force and making arrests to disperse the demonstrators.

Priya Kumari’s parents, Raj Kumar and Raveena Kumari, attended the protest, pleading for their daughter’s swift recovery.

Later, Sindh Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjhar arrived to negotiate with the protestors and met with Priya’s parents. The minister informed them that a Joint Investigative Team (JIT) has been formed to locate Priya, assuring them that she is alive and will be found soon.

Disappearance of Priya Kumari

Priya Kumari went missing from Sukkur on August 19, 2021. Her father, Raj Kumar, recounted the events of that day: “Ashura, and I had set up a water stall at my grocery store in the town of Singrar, about 45 k.m. from Sukkur. My nine-year-old daughter Priya was there, serving water to mourners. I left her at the stall to attend to some work at home, but when I returned, she was gone.”

Raj Kumar said they contacted neighbors and relatives, but there was no trace of Priya. Three days after her disappearance, they filed a kidnapping case at the Singrar police station. Despite nearly three years passing, Priya has not been found.

Over the past three years, there have been multiple protests against Priya’s disappearance in various cities across Sindh, including Sukkur, Hyderabad, and Karachi. Social media campaigns have also been launched to raise awareness about her case.

Additionally, Sindhi citizens living in countries like the USA and Canada have raised their voices for Priya’s recovery on various international forums.