Sheikhupura, Punjab: In a shocking act of religiously motivated violence, Waqas Masih, a 22-year-old Christian labourer, was brutally assaulted by his Muslim co-worker at Subhan Allah Paper Mills in Chak No. 16, Sharaqpur, allegedly following false accusations of blasphemy and repeated pressure to convert to Islam.

According to the victim’s father, Riyasat Masih, Waqas had been facing religious discrimination and coercion at the workplace for over a month prior to the attack. He was reportedly the only Christian employee at the factory.

 Waqas, a resident of Bhatti Dhalwan, under the jurisdiction of Housing Colony Police Station, Sheikhupura, is the eldest of six siblings. He had been working at Subhan Allah Paper Mills for the past six months as a contractor in the cardboard packaging department. His mother, Bushra Riyasat, has worked as a maid at a private school in Sheikhupura for nearly a decade. Both father and son have worked together at various paper mills to support the family.

On Friday, March 21, 2025, around 3:30 PM, Waqas’s father visited him at the mill. While they were speaking in a private room, Zohaib Iftikhar, a shift in-charge at the factory, allegedly called Waqas over under a pretext. Once alone, Zohaib reportedly asked Waqas if he had accepted Islam. Upon Waqas’s firm refusal, Zohaib pulled out a sharp cardboard-cutting blade from his pocket and slashed Waqas’s throat, aiming at the jugular.

 An eyewitness account from Riyasat confirms that Waqas collapsed in a pool of blood, sustaining severe neck injuries, while Zohaib immediately fled the scene.

Waqas’s father further stated that the attack appeared premeditated, as Zohaib had frequently initiated arguments over trivial matters in the days leading up to the incident. Just a day earlier, on March 20, the two had reportedly argued over a minor work-related task.

The situation escalated when Zohaib allegedly accused Waqas of tearing pages from an Arabic textbook on Islamiyat—a blasphemy accusation that carries serious legal consequences in Pakistan. The family categorically denies the allegation, calling it fabricated and malicious.

 Following the attack, Waqas was rushed to Lahore’s Mayo Hospital on Saturday, March 22, where he remains under critical medical care. Though initially unable to speak due to his injuries, Waqas regained partial consciousness and requested pen and paper to document the incident. In his handwritten statement, Waqas explained that Zohaib had targeted him for being a Christian and deliberately manipulated interactions to frame him. He wrote that Zohaib first approached him in a friendly manner, then suddenly attacked him. After realising the seriousness of his injury, Waqas tied his shirt around his neck to stop the bleeding and managed to escape before losing consciousness. He wrote that he has no memory of how he arrived at the hospital.

The factory management has reportedly cooperated with law enforcement and registered a First Information Report (FIR) at Sharaqpur Police Station. Zohaib has since been arrested and is currently in police custody pending investigation.

 In an emotional appeal, Riyasat Masih said:

 “This is not just an attack on my son; it is an attack on humanity. My son was targeted because of his faith. I urge the government to take the strictest possible action against the attacker and ensure protection for all religious minorities in Pakistan.”

 Nasir Saeed, Director of CLAAS-UK (Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement), also condemned the incident, calling it:

 “A horrific example of religious intolerance. This attack underscores the urgent need for accountability, justice, and protection for minority workers in Pakistan. Blasphemy allegations have too often been misused as tools of harassment and violence. We urge the authorities to ensure the safety of all vulnerable communities and prevent such abuse of the law.”

The family is appealing for justice and the support of civil society, human rights organisations, and the government, urging swift and firm action to address what they describe as a systemic failure to protect religious minorities from targeted violence.