Tragic Killing of a Young Christian Farmer in Pakistan Highlights Religious Discrimination

January 07, 2025

A young Christian farmer, Suleman Masih, was tragically killed in Pakistan following months of threats and harassment fueled by religious discrimination. His death highlights the ongoing persecution faced by religious minorities and the urgent need for justice and protection. 

The Christian community in Pakistan mourns the loss of a young farmer, Suleman Masih, whose life was tragically cut short amid escalating persecution. Suleman, a 25-year-old resident of Kot Saadullah, Gujranwala District, Punjab, succumbed to gunshot injuries on January 1, after being attacked by six armed men on December 29.

Suleman and his younger brother, Dawood, were standing in a local market when they were ambushed by the assailants, who opened fire. Suleman sustained critical injuries to his stomach, while Dawood narrowly escaped. A bystander, Shamraiz Javed, also sustained a gunshot wound to the knee during the attack. Suleman was rushed to the hospital but passed away after two days of fighting for his life.

Suleman’s father, Iqbal Masih, revealed that the attack was led by Abdul Rehman Yaqoob, a local landowner envious of Suleman’s success in leasing and cultivating government land. Despite months of threats and harassment, including an October incident where bullets were fired at Suleman’s farming equipment, police failed to take action due to the political influence of the perpetrators.

"Suleman was a kind-hearted and hardworking individual devoted to his Christian faith," Iqbal shared. "He had recently married, and now his young wife is a widow. This loss has left an irreparable void in our lives."

While four suspects have been arrested, Yaqoob remains at large. Iqbal Masih has appealed to local and international authorities to deliver justice and implement measures to safeguard religious minorities.

This tragedy follows other violent incidents targeting Christians in Pakistan, including a Christmas Day gun attack in Lahore that left three injured. Such acts underline the growing insecurity faced by the Christian community in a country ranked seventh on the 2024 Open Doors World Watch List of places most dangerous for Christians.

The incident underscores an urgent need for authorities to address systemic religious discrimination and ensure the safety of vulnerable communities.