The European Parliament is amending its joint resolution on the abduction, forced conversion and child marriage of Maria Shahbaz and the protection of girls in Pakistan, adding a new recital that highlights the persecution of Christians. Amendment 2, tabled by Tomislav Sokol on behalf of the PPE Group, inserts a new Recital Ca into the joint motion for a resolution (B10-0346/2026 – B10-0351/2026 RC1). The new text states: "whereas Christians are among the most severely persecuted religious communities in Pakistan and the largest worldwide, as demonstrated by the case of Maria Shahbaz." The amendment, dated 8 July 2026, is proposed by the PPE Group and is part of a joint motion co-authored by the PPE, S&D, ECR, Renew, and Verts/ALE groups. The amendment explicitly names Christians as the most persecuted religious group in Pakistan and globally, using Maria Shahbaz's case as evidence, thereby strengthening the resolution's focus on religious persecution. The resolution addresses the abduction, forced conversion, and child marriage of Maria Shahbaz, a Christian girl in Pakistan, and calls for the protection of girls in Pakistan. The amendment is still to be examined and voted on by the full Parliament.
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