Pakistani Hindus lose daughters to forced Muslim marriages

She said Muslim leaders oppose extending new protections to Pakistanis who belong to religious minorities, especially women.

“Muslims in Pakistan will never treat Hindus as their own,” said Meera Bai, a Pakistani Hindu immigrant in New Delhi. “For them, we will always remain the ‘other.’”

“We escaped religious and cultural persecution when we came to India,” she added. “We are happy here. At least here we know that no one will steal our cattle or our young daughters.”

As for Kohli, she says her daughter is lost. Soon after the abduction, the landlord produced an affidavit from the teen stating she purposefully ran away, converted and married, something her parents say she was forced to write. She’s not allowed to meet with her family or friends, according to her husband’s rules.

Kohli said her daughter’s plight underscores the uncertain future that Hindus face in Pakistan.

“There (are) many Fatimas in this country,” Kohli said. “But does this country have place for a Jeevti?”