On March 22, 2025, a 22-year-old Christian man, Waqas Masih, was “brutally attacked” by his supervisor at a paper mill in Punjab, Pakistan, after he refused to convert to Islam. According to the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the supervisor, identified as “Zohaib,” accused Masih of desecrating pages of the Quran found in the trash. The attack left Masih with severe neck injuries, and his attacker has been arrested and charged with attempted murder. “I pray for his speedy recovery and for the well-being of his entire family,” said Capuchin Franciscan Lazar Aslam, who visited Masih in the hospital. “The attack on Waqas Masih is a harsh reminder of the challenges faced by religious minorities in Pakistan and the urgent need for social change to promote tolerance and protect the rights of all citizens.”
This incident is not isolated, according to Catholic News Agency. Christians in Pakistan, who make up only 1.9% of the population, have faced increasing violence and discrimination. The country’s 208 million people are predominantly Muslim, with a small minority of Christians, Hindus, and other religious groups. According to ACN, “the persistent religious intolerance present in much of Pakistani society” has led to numerous incidents of violence against Christians, especially since August 2023. During that time, over 25 churches were looted and burned, and at least 85 homes were destroyed in the city of Jaranwala. The local Church reported that “people are frightened and feeling hopeless.”
The attacks against Christians are often fueled by accusations of blasphemy, a charge that can result in severe punishment, including imprisonment or even death. ACN also noted the “recurring reports of Christians being sentenced to prison terms, or even death, for allegedly sharing messages against Islam on social media.” These harsh realities highlight the vulnerability of religious minorities in Pakistan, where blasphemy laws are often misused to target and persecute Christians.
Lazar Aslam, who has been deeply involved in supporting the Christian community in Pakistan, called on the international community to raise awareness of the situation. “We humbly call on the international community to pray for the victims and their families as well as to raise awareness about the difficult situation for marginalized communities in Pakistan, ensuring that their voices are heard and their rights protected,” he said.
Despite the constant persecution, the Christian community in Pakistan remains strong in faith. The example of Akash Bashir, a young martyr who died preventing a terrorist attack at his parish in 2015, continues to inspire Christians across the country. Bashir’s selfless act has united Christians of all faiths and even gained respect from some Muslims. His courage stands as a beacon of hope and a reminder that, even in the face of violent oppression, the Christian faith can withstand persecution.
The Church continues to call for social change and the protection of religious minorities in Pakistan. As Aslam pointed out, “making false accusations of blasphemy and harassing vulnerable minority communities has become a disturbing trend in Pakistan.” The situation for Christians is dire, but the global Catholic community’s prayers and advocacy can make a difference.
In the face of this suffering, Christians in Pakistan remain resilient, trusting in God’s providence and in the solidarity of the universal Church. As we lift up Waqas Masih and all those who suffer for their faith, let us also pray for the protection of the most vulnerable and for the promotion of peace and religious tolerance in Pakistan. “The attack on Waqas Masih is a harsh reminder of the challenges faced by religious minorities in Pakistan,” said Aslam. We must respond with compassion, prayer, and action, ensuring that the voices of these marginalized communities are heard and their rights are protected.
