By Qaisar Qayyum
LAHORE, August 3, 2025 – As the nation turns its attention to new headlines, a brutal act of religiously motivated violence that occurred earlier this year remains a grim reminder of the increasingly perilous conditions faced by Christians in Pakistan.
On March 22, Waqas Masih, a 22-year-old Christian laborer, was viciously attacked by his Muslim supervisor Zohaib at the Subhan Paper Mills in Sheikhupura, Punjab. The supervisor allegedly slashed Waqas’s throat in what appears to be a hate-driven assault rooted in deep-seated religious intolerance.
Today, more than four months later, Waqas and his family continue to live under threat, struggling for justice amid threats and institutional apathy. On August 1, Waqas appeared before the Lahore High Court and recorded his statement under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) — a significant step in a case that was initially downplayed by local police, who pressured the family to file a diluted FIR.
The Humanitarian Action for Rights and Development Society (HARDS) has since intervened, providing legal and advocacy support to the victim and his family. Their involvement has helped bring national and international attention to the case.
On August 1, Advocate Ayub Aheer appeared before the court to present the case and record the victim’s statement. His assistant was also present. The courtroom was attended by Sohail Habel, Director of the Humanitarian Action for Rights and Development Society (HARDS), and multiple human rights activists, showing solidarity with Waqas Masih and his family. HARDS is providing legal and logistical support in the case and is coordinating with national advocacy networks.
Speaking on the issue, renowned human rights activist Napoleon Qayyum said:
“The attack on Waqas Masih is not an isolated incident — it is a reflection of the systemic discrimination and hostility faced by Pakistan’s Christian community. From workplace abuse to blasphemy accusations, Christians continue to live in fear, often without legal or societal protection. This case must not fade from public consciousness.”
Qayyum called for urgent legal reforms, including stronger protections for minority workers, independent investigations into hate crimes, and accountability for police negligence.
The situation of Christians in Pakistan remains precarious. Despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, minority communities are frequently targeted, especially in rural and industrial regions. Many incidents — including physical assaults, forced conversions, and misuse of blasphemy laws — go unreported or unresolved.
Waqas Masih’s case stands as a sobering example of the fragility of minority rights, and a call to action for civil society, lawmakers, and the international community to hold perpetrators accountable and support the voiceless
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