by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

ISLAMABAD (Worthy News) – A Christian father of three was murdered in Pakistan’s Punjab province by Muslims over the Christmas holiday because of his faith in Christ, confirmed sources told Worthy News on Friday.

The killing of Sarfraz Masih “highlights yet another painful case of Christian persecution in Pakistan,” said Pastor Imran Amanat, director of the Pakistan-based advocacy group LEAD Ministries.

The attack reportedly occurred on December 24 in the Punjab city of Muridke. Masih “was shot and killed in a targeted attack allegedly carried out by Muhammad Faisal and his group,” said Sardar Mushtaq Gill, founder of LEAD Ministries.

POLICE INVESTIGATION UNDER WAY

A First Information Report (FIR)—required to launch a criminal investigation—was registered by local police, Worthy News learned.

However, “the main suspect and three accomplices remain at large, and no arrests have been made so far,” Gill said, adding that he is closely monitoring the case. The suspects did not publicly react to the allegations.

Pastor Amanat urged “believers, churches, and human rights defenders to pray for the grieving family, seek their protection, and raise their voices for justice, peace, and accountability.”

He added: “May God comfort the family and may justice be delivered without delay.”

PATTERN OF TARGETED ATTACKS

The killing is the latest in a series of targeted attacks against Christians in the Muslim-majority nation of Pakistan, where believers regularly face discrimination, violence, and accusations under strict blasphemy laws.

Pakistan ranks 7th worldwide on the Open Doors World Watch List, which tracks the countries where it says Christians face the most severe persecution.

According to Open Doors and other rights groups, persecution in Pakistan is driven by misuse of blasphemy laws, social hostility, extremist violence, and weak enforcement of legal protections for minorities. Even unproven allegations can trigger mob attacks, lengthy imprisonment, or death threats, Christians say.

CHRISTIAN MINORITY UNDER PRESSURE

Christians in Pakistan often face pressure in daily life, including forced conversions, denial of justice, and economic marginalization, particularly in rural areas and poorer urban districts, suggest human rights investigators.

Christians comprise about 1.3 to 1.5 percent of Pakistan’s population—roughly 3 to 4 million people—in a country of more than 240 million, according to church and demographic estimates.

Advocacy groups warn that without accountability for attacks such as the killing of Sarfraz Masih, violence against Christians and other minorities is likely to continue.

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