Washington, August 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has urged Pakistan to protect an 18-year-old Christian woman who was allegedly abducted, converted to Islam and denied a private meeting with her family.
Republican Representative Chris Smith, co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, said the case of Neha Faqir raised serious concerns over religious freedom, personal safety and the rights of minority women in Pakistan.
“The circumstances surrounding Neha Faqir’s disappearance and subsequent conversion raise profoundly troubling questions about her safety, freedom of religion, and ability to exercise her rights without coercion or intimidation,” Smith said.
Smith and 10 other members of Congress sent a letter on August 20 to Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Azam Nazeer Tarar, urging the government to take appropriate steps for a just resolution of the case.
The lawmakers called on Pakistani authorities to ensure Faqir’s physical safety and well-being, provide her with confidential access to independent legal counsel and allow her to communicate freely and privately with her family. They also urged that any further judicial proceedings be conducted in a manner that enables her to express her wishes without intimidation or undue influence.
The letter was also signed by Democratic Representatives James P. McGovern and Brad Sherman, along with Republicans French Hill, Gus Bilirakis, Andy Harris, María Elvira Salazar, Riley Moore, Randy Weber, Michael Cloud and Blake Moore.
The lawmakers cited Articles 20 and 25 of Pakistan’s Constitution, which respectively guarantee freedom of religion and equality before the law.
“Pakistan’s Constitution protects religious freedom and equality before the law — but this means little if a young woman cannot safely and freely express her own beliefs,” Smith said, adding that the case was particularly significant for religious minorities who have faced allegations of abduction, forced conversion and forced marriage.
Christian Solidarity International (CSI) brought international attention to Faqir’s case on June 10. According to the organisation, she disappeared on March 24 after attending a sewing course and was later found at a madrassa in Lahore, where she had reportedly converted to Islam.
Faqir appeared before the Lahore High Court on June 9. CSI said her family sought permission to speak with her privately, but the request was denied. The court subsequently rejected the family’s petition seeking her return, according to the organisation.
The case was also discussed at a June 16 hearing at London’s Palace of Westminster examining alleged coerced conversions and marriages involving women from religious minorities. The hearing was sponsored and chaired by Lord Alton.
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