London: (By Hannah Chowdhry and Juliet Chowdhry) In a shocking incident that has left a Christian family traumatized, an altercation over the unlawful construction of shops on a parcel of communal land took a violent turn, resulting in severe injuries to a father and his two sons. The incident occurred on August 24th in Stonzaabad Chak 135/12 L, Mianchannu, Punjab.

The victims have been identified as Saleem Masih (52 yrs), known as Goni, and his sons Aneel  and Sunil. The conflict emerged over the unauthorized development on Shamilat land (village common land), which was once a shared resource for the local community. With the establishment of sewage lines in the village, the land in question lost its communal significance. However, attempts to exploit this land by Qadir Teli, a resident with vested interests, had previously been met with resistance from the Christian community

On the fateful day at approximately 4:00 pm, Goni learned that Qadir Teli was proceeding with unlawful construction on the disputed land. Accompanied by his sons, Aneel and Sunil, Goni intervened to prevent the encroachment. In response, Qadir Teli incited violence, calling for the death of the Christians who dared to thwart his illegal actions.

Qadir Teli’s two sons, Tahir and Shahid, along with several other accomplices, violently attacked the Christian family with knives, clubs, and sticks. The assault left Goni and his sons seriously injured, with multiple wounds inflicted by the attackers. The alarming situation prompted other members of the Christian community to rush to their aid. Witnesses reported a distressing scene as Goni and his sons lay injured and bleeding on the ground.

Following the attack, Qadir Teli and his sons, along with their associates, fled the scene, leaving the victims in a critical condition. The culprits hurled threats and abuses at the Christian community, warning of dire consequences if anyone dared to interfere with their unlawful land acquisition activities or reported the attack.

Goni and his two sons were swiftly transported to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Mian Channu, where they received initial medical attention. Due to the severity of their injuries, they were later transferred to Nishtar Hospital Multan, where they currently remain under intensive care.

Local law enforcement promptly registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the assailants, invoking sections 324, 354, 148, and 149 of the law. The Saddar Police Station Mian Channu successfully apprehended three of the suspects, while efforts are underway to locate Tahir and Shahid, who have evaded arrest. The police have initiated raids at suspected locations to bring the remaining culprits to justice.

The injured victims, Goni and his sons Sunil and Aneel, continue to be in critical condition and are being closely monitored within the intensive care unit of Nishtar Hospital Multan. The incident has sparked outrage and concern within the community, drawing attention to the pressing issue of land disputes and the need for effective measures to ensure communal harmony and safety.

The British Asian Christian Association has established a fund to aid Christians who have endured violent persecution. If you wish to contribute to this cause, you can make a donation by clicking (here). Tomorrow, we will be visiting the family that has been subjected to an attack and will provide any necessary assistance.

“In Pakistan, Christians endure a distressing disparity in their rights. They find themselves treated as outsiders, facing unwarranted bias and discrimination, often even from the very authorities entrusted with upholding justice.

“Disturbingly, attacks against Christians, even involving deadly weapons like knives, seem to carry a level of impunity. This is due to the unfortunate reality that in Pakistan, matters of murder are often treated as civil disputes. Tragically, the Christian community, disadvantaged and lacking resources, finds itself unable to secure adequate legal representation.

“Compounding the issue, the presence of prejudice within the police force and the prevalent corruption further exacerbate the situation. Adding to this is Pakistan’s deeply flawed Qisas and Diyat Ordinance, which allows individuals to evade imprisonment by offering compensation for crimes like murder and rape. Regrettably, this makes Christians easy targets for those who seek to exploit these systemic loopholes.

“While Pakistan is a signatory to various UN Conventions safeguarding human rights, its laws and their application tend to favor the Muslim majority, often to the detriment of minority communities.

“It is incumbent upon the Pak-Government to take meaningful steps toward fostering a more equitable and just society within Pakistan. All individuals, regardless of their religious or ethnic background, deserve equal rights and protection under the law.”