Pakistan is known for enabling forced conversions. However, this time their cleric might have bitten off more than they can chew. A Chinese psychologist, known only as Dr. Jessica, recently found herself at the center of a controversy that could damage Pak-China relations.
The 25-year-old Jessica was researching the psychological impacts of atrocities on Shia and Pakhtun women and children in Pakistan.
Allegedly, she was abducted from Ghotki, Sindh. Thereafter, as per reports, she was forcibly converted to Islam by the notorious cleric Mian Mithu at the Bharchundi Sharif Dargah. Hence, this ‘research trip gone wrong’ is making headlines for showcasing the rampant conversion factory that is in Pakistan! Will this diplomatic fiasco affect the long-standing ties between the two countries? Time will tell.
Forced Conversion of a Chinese National: Will Beijing React?
🚨Disturbing reports have emerged from Ghotki, Sindh, where Chinese psychologist Dr. Jessica, who was researching the psychological impacts of atrocities on Shia and Pakhtun women and children in Pakistan, has been kidnapped, assaulted, and forced to convert to Islam by a Sunni… pic.twitter.com/85nK6NV8P0
— Shuvankar Biswas (@manamuntu) February 2, 2025
Allegedly, the Chinese embassy is fuming with Dr. Jessica being renamed Saira Khatoon and handed a conversion certificate. However, ridiculously, Dr. Jessica is the 25th victim of forced conversions in Pakistan in 2025 alone. Only 35 days into 2025 – Pakistan has converted 25 non-Muslims to Islam. That is an impressive strike rate! However, this forced conversion of a Chinese national has sparked outrage in the international community.
पाकिस्तान में चाइनीज लड़की का जबरन धर्म परिवर्तन, जेसिका बनीं सायरा खातून #Pakistan #Conversion #ShehbazSharif #IndiaNews @ManojManuIN pic.twitter.com/S9aHxwnUT2
— India News (@NetworkItv) February 1, 2025
China is, allegedly, raising hell with PM Shebas Sharif’s government over the security of Chinese and safety of its women in the nation.
Imagine the shock and horror of any nation whose citizen is forcibly converted while abroad. This is exactly the situation China faces with Dr. Jessica. Moreover, the Chinese woman was coerced into converting to Islam. China thinks Islam is a mental disorder that can be cured in re-education camps. Thus, China allegedly is very upset over the forced conversion of this citizen. Additionally, considering China’s notorious stance on Islam and its high regard for its citizens, it’s safe to say they might demand action. Therefore, this could ignite a diplomatic crisis that Pakistan might find difficult to resolve.
Mian Mithu’s Conversion Factory: Systematic Exploitation of Minorities in Pakistan
I don’t know why do people react so surprised after abduction of #Hindu Girls in Pakistan. #ForcedConversion of Hindu Girls in Pakistan is an Organised Crime which runs with blessings of Politico-Military Establishment of Pakistan. Here is Mian Mithu, the Conversion Mafia. 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/dCEXWQ4dJw
— Vaibhav Singh (@vaibhavUP65) April 25, 2020
If you thought Dr. Jessica’s case was an anomaly, think again. Mian Mithu, aka. Sunni Punjabi ISI Major (Retd) Sai Mian Abdul Khaliq, runs a well-oiled conversion factory in Pakistan. His primary victims are Hindu girls and other religious minorities in the Sindh region.
If you are under 18 years old, you:
-cannot get married
-cannot buy mobile sim
-cannot vote
-cannot be candidate in any elections.But, in 🍌#BananaRepublic 🍌
You can convert from being Hindu to become Muslim.
Mian Mithu ek shetaan hai .. pic.twitter.com/zO5Pll3um9— Arif Aajakia (@arifaajakia) November 12, 2019
The self-proclaimed master of forced conversions has already converted hundreds of people, with 1774 forced conversions reported between 2019-2023.
Pakistan: A #Hindu girl Asha, Daughter of Gulsher Oadh from Bakshapur, Kashmore, Abducted Rape and Forcibly Converted into #Islam at Dargah-e-Aliya Bharchundi in Daharki, Ghotki; Mian Mithu Accused pic.twitter.com/HOeRJyvVIo
— Faraz Pervaiz (@FarazPervaiz3) December 21, 2024
His network operates through religious institutions like the Bharchundi Sharif Dargah, where vulnerable individuals are lured, coerced, or outright kidnapped and forced to embrace Islam. This systematic campaign of religious coercion continues unchecked by the Pakistani authorities, painting a grim picture for religious minorities in the country.
Baba Sai and the Mass Conversion Network: An Alarming Trend in Pakistan
Mian Mithu isn’t alone in this mission. Baba Sai is another infamous cleric operating in Sindh. Baba Sai, a.k.a. Hafiz Ghulam Mohammad, runs a mass conversion center at the Satyani Sharif Dargah. His operation is infamous for converting entire villages to Islam in one go. The scale of these forced conversions is deeply troubling.
Moreover, they paint a picture of a larger, organized, and state-supported effort to eradicate religious diversity in Pakistan.
Pakistani human rights activist @RameshJaipal highlighted the horrific trend where thousands of Hindu & Christian girls are taken to Mian Mithu's shelters every year in Pakistan, subjected to rape, forcibly converted to Islam, and then returned.
Despite this, Mian Mithu, hailed… pic.twitter.com/69IrGkjedW
— Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) October 18, 2023
However, the dwindling Pakistani Hindu minority is ignored by the NGOs of the world. Their plight is negated and their voices are suppressed by the lack of attention by global media. Hence, the systematic elimination of Hindus from Pakistan is exposed by the case of forced conversion of this Chinese researcher. With figures like Mian Mithu and Baba Sai running rampant, it’s clear that forced conversions are more than just isolated incidents! Instead, they’re a coordinated effort to reshape Pakistan’s religious landscape.
Diplomatic Fallout: Could Pakistan – China Relationship Be in Jeopardy?
Pakistan bows to Chinese pressure, accepts deployment of Chinese PMCs in Pakistan for security of Chinese officials and workers.
Chinese PMCs will be immune from prosecution under Pakistani law.— WLVN (@TheLegateIN) November 14, 2024
The real question now is: will Pakistan be able to salvage its relationship with China? Given China’s history of defending its citizens, there’s a strong possibility that this incident could escalate into a diplomatic nightmare for Pakistan.
With regular news of deadly attacks on Chinese nationals working on BRI or CPEC projects, Pakistan should prepare to face the wrath of the Dragon!
The Chinese government is unlikely to stay silent, and the pressure on Pakistan to act could become overwhelming. The result could be a souring of ties between the two nations. However, Pakistan cannot afford to end the strategic partnership it shares with China. How will it return the loans to China? Moreover, who will take its side in geopolitical conflict if China turns into an enemy? Therefore, the fallout from this forced conversion could very well reshape Pakistan’s foreign policy in ways it might not be prepared for.
Bharat and its citizens await, with popcorn in hand, the storm brewing on the horizon of Sino-Pak relations!