Lahore, Pakistan: Concerns over the safety of Pakistan’s vulnerable Christian minority have deepened following the alarming disappearance of Asher Atray, a young Christian man employed as an Assistant Lineman at the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA). Atray has been missing since April 24, 2025, from the BataPur area of Lahore, Punjab.

A First Information Report (FIR No. 1072/25) has been officially registered under Section 365 of the Pakistan Penal Code at Police Station Bata Pur, based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s father, Hameed Masih Atray. Despite the legal filing, the family claims that there has been no meaningful progress in the investigation.

According to the family, a notorious group allegedly led by a man named Muhammad Zain has claimed responsibility for Asher’s abduction, reportedly stating that he “will not return alive no matter what is done.” These chilling words have sparked widespread fear within the Christian community and raised serious concerns about religiously motivated violence.

Pastor Imran Amanat, Director of LEAD Ministries Pakistan, has publicly condemned the incident and urged authorities to act swiftly to ensure Asher’s safe recovery and hold the perpetrators accountable. “This is not just a case of abduction,” Pastor Amanat stated. “It is a reflection of the systemic marginalization and targeted harassment faced by Christians in Pakistan at the hands of extremist elements.” He added, “We fear for Asher’s life and demand immediate action.”

LEAD Ministries Pakistan, a prominent Christian advocacy organization founded by Sardar Mushtaq Gill, has long championed the rights of Pakistan’s religious minorities. In response to the incident, Gill issued a heartfelt appeal for nationwide prayer and international awareness, urging both the concerned authorities and global human rights organizations to take swift and decisive action. “This abduction is a stark reminder of the precarious position Christians occupy in Pakistan’s socio-political landscape,” Gill stated.

The Christian community—often relegated to low-income and marginalized roles—continues to face systemic discrimination and violence in Pakistan, where blasphemy laws and societal prejudice frequently leave them vulnerable and unprotected. In Asher’s case, however, his employment at WAPDA, a respected government agency, may have further fueled religious jealousy, highlighting how even upward mobility can make Christians targets of resentment and extremist hostility.

As Asher Atray’s family continues to knock on every door for justice, civil society watches closely to see whether the rule of law will prevail—or whether yet another Christian life will vanish in silence.