SHEIKHUPURA, PUNJAB: A Christian laborer, Asif Masih, has died under tragic circumstances in the village of Sahoki Maalian, near Sheikhupura, after being brutally beaten by a group of Muslim men and later subjected to police mistreatment. His death has ignited protests and renewed concerns over the treatment of religious minorities in Pakistan.

According to reports, Asif Masih had been working through the night harvesting wheat for a local landlord, Mushtaq Ahmad. In the early hours of the morning, as he returned home with fellow laborer Irfan Dogar, the two were intercepted by Muhammad Imran and several others. The assailants accused Asif of allowing his livestock to stray into their fields and proceeded to violently beat him. Following the assault, the group contacted police, who arrived and took Asif into custody.

At the police station, Asif’s brother, Kashif Masih, and landlord Mushtaq Ahmad tried to intervene. However, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Riaz Uppal allegedly demanded a bribe in exchange for not filing a formal case. When the bribe was initially refused, Asif remained in custody, where his condition reportedly worsened.

Fearing for his life, Mushtaq Ahmad eventually paid 7,000 Pakistani rupees to the officer to secure Asif’s release and arranged for his admission to a hospital. Despite receiving treatment for two days, Asif succumbed to his injuries and died.

After his death, Mushtaq Ahmad attempted to register a murder case at the Saddar Police Station. However, police officials allegedly employed delaying tactics, prompting the victim’s family to stage protests. The family is demanding justice for Asif Masih, including the immediate arrest of those involved in the initial attack—identified as Muhammad Imran, Naseer, Allah Yar, Ghareeb Alam, Sufyan, and two unidentified individuals—and accountability for ASI Riaz Uppal for his alleged abuse of authority.

Pastor Imran Amanat, Director of LEAD Ministries Pakistan, strongly condemned the incident. “The murder of this innocent Christian man highlights the ongoing persecution of religious minorities in our country. We call for the arrest of all those responsible—both civilians and law enforcement,” he stated.

Sardar Mushtaq Gill, a prominent Christian human rights lawyer, also expressed grief and outrage. “Christians in Pakistan remain vulnerable not only due to their faith but also because of their poverty, which limits their access to justice. We ask for prayers and support to seek justice for Asif.”

Pastor Imran further emphasized that LEAD Ministries is actively working to support persecuted Christians and continues its mission of church planting and legal advocacy, calling for public support to continue this work. As pressure grows, rights organizations are demanding swift legal action and structural reforms to address systemic discrimination against Pakistan’s Christian minority.