Pakistan’s Christian community is reeling after the tragic death of a man who was shot following months of targeted harassment and persecution.
Suleman Masih, a Christian farmer, was attacked on 29th December 2024, in Kot Saadullah, Rahawali, Gujranwala, by assailants on motorcycles, according to The Catholic Herald.
He sustained severe kidney damage and passed away on 1st January 2025.
He was laid to rest on 4th January.
The National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) has classified the killing as an act of religious discrimination, as detailed in a report to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
Describing the attack, Masih’s father, Iqbal Masih, told Christian Daily: “The assailants shot Suleman in the stomach, and my younger son, Dawood, narrowly escaped unharmed. A bystander, Shamraiz Javed, was also injured in the attack.”
Fr Lazar Aslam, a Franciscan priest, explained that Suleman’s success in farming made him a target for resentment within the predominantly Muslim community.
Over the course of six months, Suleman endured threats, harassment, and attacks—including the destruction of his crops.
Despite reporting these incidents to the authorities, no action was taken.
Iqbal Masih corroborated this account, naming Abdul Rehman Yaqoob as one of the attackers.
Yaqoob resented Suleman for securing a lease on government land, and he and his family had allegedly threatened Suleman and even attempted to sabotage his farming equipment, including a wheat-thrashing machine, in October.
The police reportedly did nothing in response due to Yaqoob’s political influence.
Iqbal Masih added: “Suleman was a kind and devoted Christian. He had just married a few months ago, and now his young wife has been left a widow.
"The pain left by these criminals is something we will never overcome.”
Both Fr Aslam and Suleman’s family are calling for justice, urging local and international authorities to protect religious minorities and prevent further violence and discrimination.
Four of the attackers have been arrested, but Abdul Rehman Yaqoob remains at large.