Layyah Church Vandalized: A Disturbing Act Against Pakistan’s Christian Community

August 25, 2025

Unknown individuals from TLP vandalized a church in Layyah, Punjab, painting Islamic inscriptions and threatening symbols, targeting the Christian community. CPRP condemns this act of religious hatred and calls for immediate protection and accountability.

Layyah, Punjab, Pakistan - The Christian community in Layyah is shaken after unknown individuals vandalized a local church, painting Islamic inscriptions and cryptic symbols on its walls. The graffiti, which appeared earlier this week, included numbers like “270” and “230” and the term “Christian–Asai” crossed out, widely interpreted as coded threats meant to intimidate the community.

Eyewitnesses reported that similar threatening markings were also placed near Christian residential areas, heightening fears. Despite the gravity of the incident, local authorities have yet to take visible action or issue public statements. Community members allege that law enforcement knows the perpetrators but has remained silent, eroding trust in the state’s protection of religious minorities.

A Pattern of Threats Across Pakistan: This attack is part of a troubling pattern targeting Christian communities in Pakistan. In Karachi, the Holy Trinity Church has been repeatedly defaced with Islamic slogans, suggesting a sustained effort to intimidate Christians and potentially convert churches into mosques. Similarly, Pastor Vicky’s church in Faisalabad has faced identical vandalism, while Christian neighborhoods nationwide continue to experience harassment and threats.

Call for Accountability: The Christian Persecution Relief Pakistan (CPRP) strongly condemned the Layyah attack, describing it as “a blatant act of religious hatred designed to terrorize a vulnerable community.” Such attacks strike at the heart of religious coexistence in Pakistan. CPRP called on international organizations to pressure the Pakistani government to ensure minority protection and hold the perpetrators accountable.

Escalating Persecution and Rising Concerns: The Layyah incident reflects a broader pattern of hostility toward Christians in Pakistan, including hate speech, forced conversions, and mob violence. Human rights observers warn that symbolic acts of intimidation, like graffiti, often precede physical attacks, as seen during the 2023 Jaranwala incidents when churches and homes were set on fire.

Christian leaders stress the urgent need for protection. The messages on church walls are clear warnings: without decisive action, these threats could escalate into violence. “We need protection not silence,” they emphasize, highlighting the precarious situation of religious minorities in Pakistan.