The Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS-UK) has welcomed a significant development in the case of Sonia Tariq, a minor Christian girl from Pakistan who has been at the centre of a lengthy forced conversion legal battle. On 6 May 2026, the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) ordered that Sonia be placed in a government shelter home and directed that an independent medical examination be conducted to determine her true age — a key question on which the entire case may turn.

Sonia appeared before the court accompanied by police officials and individuals allegedly linked to her conversion. She claimed to be 20 years old; however, her family — represented by Advocate Saqib Jillani — maintains she is only 15, citing official NADRA records. In a notable observation, Justice Aamer Farooq remarked that official records in Pakistan, including NADRA-issued B-Forms, could be subject to manipulation and should not automatically be treated as conclusive evidence. The bench acknowledged the sensitive nature of the proceedings, including the possibility of coercion, undue influence, and pressure on the minor.

CLAAS-UK has been pursuing Sonia’s case since 2024 in close partnership with The Edge Foundation in Pakistan. For nearly two years, the family has navigated an exhausting legal process under extremely difficult circumstances, reportedly facing threats and ongoing security concerns throughout. Today’s court development, according to Nasir Saeed, offers renewed hope — not only for Sonia’s family but for the many other families in Pakistan facing similar situations.

The outcome of the court-ordered ossification test carries enormous legal weight. Nasir Saeed noted that while such tests are not always fully precise, any medical finding confirming that Sonia is under 18 years of age — particularly under 17 — would strongly support her return to parental custody under Pakistani law. Age determination is central because, under the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act 2026, no person below the age of 18 may legally enter into marriage. Any marriage contracted with a minor is unlawful and punishable under the act.

The court’s decision to question the reliability of official documentation also raises broader concerns about the integrity of records in cases where forced conversions are alleged. Critics have long argued that perpetrators in such cases exploit gaps in record-keeping, producing manipulated age certificates or conversion documents that courts are then pressured to accept at face value.

The Sonia Tariq case is far from unique. Across Pakistan, advocacy organizations have documented a consistent and troubling pattern in cases involving minority girls: abduction, a forced religious conversion, a hurriedly solemnized marriage, and a statement presented before a court claiming voluntariness. Faith & Freedom News has been reporting on a parallel case — that of 14-year-old Rida from Lahore — in which similar dynamics are at play: a Christian minor allegedly abducted, a conversion document produced, and a magistrate’s order that has drawn sharp legal criticism.

CLAAS-UK has called on authorities to ensure that justice is served transparently and without delay, and that Sonia’s rights, dignity, and safety are fully protected throughout the remaining proceedings. The organisation has also urged continued prayers and support for the family, their legal team, and all those working to secure justice.

Faith & Freedom News will continue to monitor this case and report on all further developments ahead of the 20 May hearing.