Faisalabad: In Faisalabad, a Christian woman was brutally assaulted by three Muslim men at gunpoint after they tied up her husband in a sugarcane field while the couple was on their way home from work. The police have since arrested the perpetrators and placed them in judicial remand. The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) has visited the family, providing them with legal support and financial assistance to help them seek justice and recover from this traumatic ordeal.

On the night of 25th March 2025, an unimaginable tragedy occurred in Chak 62, Faisalabad, leaving a Christian family shattered and a community reeling with fear and disbelief. Shumaila Adnan, a Christian woman, was sexually assaulted at gunpoint by three Muslim men in a horrifying act of violence that has deeply impacted the Christian community across Pakistan.

The incident unfolded when Shumaila, who works as a sweeper at a university, and her husband Adnan Masih, a brick-maker, were returning home after a long day’s work. As they made their way on a motorbike near the Faisalabad Motorway underpass, two armed men appeared from behind the trees, stopping them forcefully and beating them. The couple was then dragged to a nearby sugarcane field, where the criminals robbed them of their belongings— a mobile phone, some cash, and Shumaila’s identity card.

Adnan was tied up with a drawstring taken from his own shalwar and threatened to remain silent. The rapists then made a phone call to another man who arrived on a motorbike and proceeded to take Shumaila to a separate field where she was violently assaulted by the three men. The attackers left the scene after the horrific crime, threatening to kill both Adnan and Shumaila if they ever spoke out.

Shocked and terrified, the couple returned home the following morning (26th March), where Adnan, still grappling with the trauma, made the difficult decision to report the assault to the police. The authorities acted swiftly and registered First Incident Report 339/25 , the case gained immediate attention from Mariyam Nawaz, the Chief Minister of Punjab, who ordered expedited action. As a result, the perpetrators—Rana Sher Ali, Muhammad Faisal, and Hadayat Ali—were arrested and are now held in jail on judicial remand under sections 375 and 392 of the Pakistan Penal Code. This prompt response from the police, coupled with the high-level attention the case received, has ensured that justice is moving forward for Shumaila and Adnan.

375.     Rape:-

A man is said to commit rape who has sexual intercourse with a woman under circumstances falling under any of the five following descriptions,

(i)         against her will.

(ii)        without her consent

(iii)       with her consent, when the consent has been obtained by putting her in fear of death or of hurt,

(iv)       with her consent, when the man knows that he is not married to her and that the consent is given because she believes that the man is another person to whom she is or believes herself to be married; or

(v)        With or without her consent when she is under sixteen years of age.

392.     Punishment for robbery:

Whoever commits robbery shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which  159[shall not be less than three years nor more than] 159 ten years, and shall also be liable to fine; and, if the robbery be committed on the highway  160[] 160 the imprisonment may be extended to fourteen years.

Adnan Masih shared his harrowing account with BACA, saying:

“They tied me up with the drawstring from my own shalwar and threatened me to stay silent. I was terrified and had no idea what was happening.”

“After they tied me up, one of the men called someone on the phone, and soon another man arrived on a motorbike.”

“They dragged my wife away to a nearby sugarcane field, where they took turns raping her.”

The rapists left the scene after assaulting Shumaila, threatening to kill both of them if they ever spoke about the ordeal.

Still in shock and consumed by fear, Adnan managed to take his wife back home. “I was overwhelmed with fear and didn’t know what to do,” he said. “I couldn’t bring myself to inform the police until the next morning.”

The physical and emotional scars left on Shumaila and her family are deep and lasting. As if the brutal assault weren’t enough, the financial burden on Adnan is crushing. He works as a bonded brick-maker, struggling daily to make ends meet, while Shumaila’s job as a sweeper provides essential additional income. With three young children—Danish (12), Daim (9), and Satayish (6)—the family is living on the edge, barely able to survive.

To add to their hardship, Adnan took a loan of Rs. 300,000 (approximately £830) from the brick kiln owner, trapping the family in a cycle of debt and indentured labour. We are determined to help free them from this oppressive contract, allowing them the independence and dignity to pursue justice without interference from their exploitative employer. Your support can help break the chains of their labor and give them the chance to fight for their rights and a better future.

This is where we need your help.

The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) has been in touch with the family, offering legal support and ensuring that they are provided with the resources they need during this difficult time. But there is still much more to be done.

How You Can Help:

Financial Support: Your generous donations can provide vital relief to Adnan and his family as they begin to rebuild their lives. We aim to raise £2,000 to cover the costs of a legal advocate who will help ensure justice is served, This amount will also pay off the family’s bonded labor loan, which has kept them trapped in a cycle of debt. Additionally, we seek to raise £200 to compensate for the losses the family suffered during the robbery, including their stolen belongings. Your support will make a meaningful difference in their journey toward justice, healing, and freedom from exploitation.

Raise Awareness: Sharing this story will ensure that more people know about this tragic incident and the need for justice and support.

Pray for the Family: This family needs your prayers for healing, strength, and justice as they navigate the aftermath of this traumatic event.

The fight for justice is not over. While the perpetrators are behind bars, we need to ensure that Shumaila, Adnan, and their children are given the support they deserve to heal and move forward from this nightmare. No family should have to endure such terror, and together, we can help ensure that this family is not left behind.