Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) - The Federal Ministry for Harmony and Religious Minorities has launched an investigation in the case of Farah Hatim, the Catholic girl kidnapped and forced to marry a Muslim and converted to Islam in the city of Rahim Yar Khan (south Punjab). Paul Bhatti, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister for the affairs of religious minorities, told Fides: "The girl's family are under our protection and security. We have involved the provincial Minister for minorities in Punjab, the Catholic, Kamran Michael, who has started an investigation with local authorities and police forces from Rahim Yar Khan, to ascertain the truth in this matter. We will try to talk to the girl, to ascertain her will and resolve the issue peacefully. If we verify that Farah is withheld against her will, we will ask the intervention of higher authorities of the federal government".
In recent days, feeling insecure and threatened, Farah's family have asked for help to "All Pakistan Minorities Alliance", an NGO committed to the defense of religious minorities in Pakistan. The association, founded by the late Shahbaz Bhatti and led today by his brother Paul Bhatti, has given asylum to Farah’s family in Islamabad and has entrusted the case to his lawyers.
Meanwhile in Italy, some parliamentarians from different political parties have raised the case in Parliament (in session n.486 on June 15th): The Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives wrote a letter to the Ambassador of Pakistan in Italy, highlighting the case of Farah, and urged the Italian government to intervene with the Government of Pakistan. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 20/06/2011)
