Faisalabad: Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) has expressed grave concerns over the ongoing violence and discrimination targeting individuals based on their religion or belief in Pakistan. Since its inception in 1994, HRFP has consistently highlighted such violations and advocated for the rights of religious minorities. 

Naveed Walter President of Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) has raised these concerns on international platforms, notably addressing the United Nations as the first guest speaker during the inaugural observance of the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief begins 2019. Beyond advocacy, HRFP provides direct support to victims through legal assistance, moral support, advocacy, and other necessary aid. The organization is dedicated to the protection and promotion of minority rights, continuously voicing concerns over the persecution of Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Baháʼís, Ahmadis, and other vulnerable communities in Pakistan. 

HRFP actively works against violations such as the misuse of blasphemy laws, mob violence, forced conversions and marriages, religious discrimination, and attacks on places of worship. The organization receives over 1,000 calls annually reporting incidents of religiously motivated abuse and victimization. 

Naveed Walter President of Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) stated that recent individual cases are not only increasing in number but also in severity, while past incidents, such as the Jaranwala attacks in 2023, still await justice. 

Most recently, HRFP fact-finding team gathered information and documentation by visiting the sites of the incidents, the homes of the victims, and the HRFP office visited by them, where they also sought legal, financial, advocacy, protection and moral support as well. 

HRFP team also visited Sahiwal district, where on August 8th, 2025, a mob attacked on 80 Christian families. Many victims were subsequently charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act and subjected to police brutality. HRFP met with the affected families and continued to document and advocate for justice in these cases. Naseem Bib, a sister and Alfred Masih a father of victims Mona Alfred & Sonia Alfred shared the details with HRFP team, also that Sahiwal (Harappa) police registered a case on August 9th, 2025 against 80 individuals, including 24 identified, under Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997 and multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code on 9 August 2025. Police alleged that the Christian family attacked on police van while they arrested and during taking to police station to Alfred Masih’s both daughters Mona and Sonia who escaped from the custody of Muhammad Arshad. HRFP team observed the facts that Sonia Alfred kidnapped by Muhammad Arshad and Mona Alfred kidnapped by Muhammad Arif, few years before. As Muhammad Arif died, Mona escaped to her parents’ home. Sonia and her son also left to stay with her father, resulting in her separation from Muhammad Arshad. During arrests of Mona and Sonia on complaint of Muhammad Arshad alleging the thefts, police arrested both sisters and when Alfred was subjected to violence on by police his eye affected. 

As the police registered First Information Report (FIR) against Alfred family and local Christians the case is in the Anti-Terrorism Court of Sahiwal and the last hearing was on September 4th, 2025, in the District & Session Court of Sahiwal. 

HRFP team also fact findings the issue of Christian girl Alishbah Javed Masih aged 15, who kidnapped on July 12th, 2025, by Sajid Ali with Mukhtar Ali, residents of district Sahiwal. On July 13th she escaped from custody of kidnapper, but she was sexual abused and that was proved while the FIR was also registered on this basis. Both kidnappers arrested and on July 31st, their bail application was cancelled from session court. Next court hearing date is on September 11, 2025. 

About Christians graveyard in Bhutto Nagar (chal road), Sahiwal attached with government school shared with HRFP fact finings team by Rehman Masih and witness Nazir Ali, that Riaz Ahmed, Muhammad Jamshaid, Muhammad Arbab were possessing and establishing a building on Christian’s graveyard. Big population of Christians lives around Bhutto colony and that is the only Christians area graveyard. FIR registered on August 19th, 2025, on the same day of established building and they were arrested. 

On August 20th, a Christian girl Mehak Masih, domestic worker accused of theft by her employer while the issue is a religion based as she faced harassments as well. She was arrested and tortured as she stated to HRFP team and through a video statement. 

On August 23rd, hate symbols were found on a Church in Layyah, prompting serious concern about possible extremist activity. The defacement included Islamic phrases and mysterious markings, which have caused significant alarm within the local Christian community. These writings are broadly interpreted as implicit threats aimed at instilling fear. Same issues have been seen in Karachi, Faisalabad and other cities. 

On August 24th, 2025, a Christian man Saleem Iqbal Masih was killed by Shamas Shah and Haider Ali. They alleged him to be a drug dealer in Sialkot while the facts are different as he attempting to defend Christian women and children from harassment when he was targeted.  Saleem Iqbal just intervened when he saw the two men, identified as Hyder Ali and Chhame Shah, were harassing the Christian women. In retaliation, the assailants attacked Saleem, stabbing him multiple times before fleeing the scene. Despite efforts to save him, Saleem succumbed to his injuries. 

On July 25th, 2025, tragedy struck in Sialkot when Boota Masih, a 55-year-old Christian laborer, was brutally killed over a land dispute. Although the quarrel was between two Muslim landlords, Boota Masih became a victim simply because he was an easy target while working peacefully in the agricultural fields. Khalid Jutt, and Muhammad Abbas the men accused of shooting Boota Masih, was quickly named in the First Information Report (FIR). However, despite the gravity of the crime, the accused have been granted interim bail and continue to move freely in the area. What’s even more alarming is the ongoing intimidation faced by Boota Masih’s family and the local Christian community. Threats have been made towards his sons, daughters, and neighbors, leaving the family living in constant fear. 

Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) stated that the horrific incident exposes the vulnerability of minority communities caught in the crossfire of land conflicts, and the disturbing lack of justice and protection they receive. HRFP strongly condemns the persistent and systemic violations of minority rights across Pakistan, where religious minorities continue to face severe persecution and discrimination. 

There are number of daily basis examples as like HRFP have Reported that, On 14 July 2025 Shahzad Masih and his wife are beaten by Muslims for not giving vegetables on their suggested rates, in Okara.   

On 25 June 2025 Anwar Kenneth a blasphemy allegation victim acquitted from all charges by Supreme Court of Pakistan, as he suffered 23 years in jail. On 11 June 2025 Sheza Intikhab was raped by Mohsin and Zahid Gujjar in Sangla Hill District Nankana Sahib. On 11 June 2025 Elishba Adnan was abducted forcibly converted and forcibly married by Muslim man Babar Mukhtar in Burewala. On 16 May 2025 Jessica Iqbal was abducted, forcibly converted and forcibly married by Azeem Ullah in Lahore. On 6 March 2025 Mehwish Bibi a domestic worker, accused of thefts by employer Ayesha Farhan in Faisalabad. On 04 April 2025 Farooq Masih and family were subjected to physical violence by Zulfiqar Ali in Faisalabad. On 25 March 2025 Sumaila Noor wife of Adnan Masih was raped by Ali Sher, Umer Hayat, and Muhammad Faisal in Faisalabad. On 27 February 2025 Wasif Masih subjected to physical violence by Tateer Al-Haq, Naeem Saleem, and Junaid in Faisalabad for trees cutting allegation. 

Naveed Walter, President of the Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP), emphasized that religious and ethnic minorities in Pakistan are frequently subjected to severe human rights violations, including physical assaults, destruction of property, and social exclusion. These communities often face false accusations, such as theft, murder, or blasphemy, with minimal access to justice. Institutional discrimination further deepens their marginalization, particularly in areas such as education, employment, and housing. Law enforcement agencies frequently neglect to protect minority populations or to conduct proper investigations into crimes committed against them. 

Despite constitutional assurances of religious freedom and equal rights, the reality for many minorities, especially Christians and Hindus, remains bleak. Systemic abuses, including the misuse of blasphemy laws and forced conversions of young women and girls, continue to go unchecked. The combination of social hostility, legal inequities, and government inaction perpetuates an environment of fear and oppression. 

Besides HRFP, on the occasion of the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, an event organized in Faisalabad, Pakistan by a Catholic Church’s organization attends by CSOs, HRDs, Religious and Political Workers, recognized the efforts of Naveed Walter and HRFP from the last 3 decades. The speakers acknowledged their significant role in promoting awareness of the day and advocating for its recognition, highlighting their commitment to defending religious freedom and minority rights in Pakistan.