POC 11 Naveed George
Forbidden Bonds
My family members:
Naveed George – September 18, 1992 (Self)
Arrived as refugees in Bangkok: June 17, 2023
Refugee Status: “Refused” by UNHCR
Details on gaining Refugee Status is here.
When love defies tradition, survival becomes the ultimate act of defiance
Naveed George, a Christian from Sheikhupura, Pakistan, recounts the events that forced him to flee the country due to religious persecution and legal troubles stemming from his marriage to a Muslim woman, Arifa. Naveed worked as a chef and later set up his own food cart to support his family. His life took a drastic turn when he married Arifa in 2017, despite his mother’s objections and the societal tensions surrounding interfaith marriages.
After the marriage, Arifa’s behavior became increasingly influenced by her Muslim faith, leading to conflicts in their relationship. In June 2017, Arifa’s father, with the help of the police, accused Naveed of kidnapping her. Naveed and his brother Zaheer were arrested, tortured, and detained for months. They were charged under Section 365-A (Kidnapping for Extortion) and faced a lengthy legal battle, during which their family sold properties to cover legal expenses.
In November 2018, Arifa’s brothers kidnapped Naveed’s younger brother, Yasir, demanding that Naveed confess to the kidnapping charges. Yasir was eventually rescued after 45 days, but the family continued to face harassment and threats. Naveed and his brother were acquitted of all charges in April 2021, but the stigma of his interfaith marriage and false accusations made life in Pakistan increasingly dangerous.
In September 2022, Naveed was forcibly taken to a mosque by former classmates who assumed he had converted to Islam. They pressured him to perform Islamic prayers and threatened him to continue attending the mosque. Fearing for his safety, Naveed went into hiding with his cousin in Lahore.
With the help of a travel agent, Naveed obtained a tourist visa for Thailand. On June 17, 2023, he flew to Bangkok, seeking safety and international protection from the ongoing persecution and threats in Pakistan.
More information…
Naveed George — Detailed Statement
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First published: 2025/08/01/
Latest revision: 2025/09/10/