ICC Note: Multiple violent attacks on Christians in Pakistan has emphasized the worsening conditions for believers in the country. In each incident, intolerance of Christians erupted into extreme violence that left one Christian family beaten and another Christian man murdered. Will Pakistan take steps to correct the deeply held anti-Christian bias that is the root cause of this violence?

08/31/2018 Pakistan (CBN) – Two recent attacks against Christians in Pakistan emphasize the worsening conditions for believers in the predominately Muslim country.

One of those incidents occurred on August 2, when Vicky Masih, 35, was murdered on his wedding anniversary.

“It was the wedding anniversary of Vicky and his wife,” an advocate Tariq Zia told International Christian Concern (ICC). “Vicky was asked by his Muslim friends to meet them at Muhammad Abbas’ house and celebrate with them.”

“Muhammad Ilyas, another one of Vicky’s Muslim friends, had to pay back a handsome loan to Vicky,” Zia continued. “When Vicky asked for his money back, Muhammad Ilyas abused Vicky and said that he will teach a lesson to the choora.”

“Choora” is a derogatory term used against Christians.

“Within no time, the party turned into an exchanging of harsh words, a physical clash, and ended with Vicky’s murder,” Zia reported.

According to Asia News, Abbas opened fire on Vicky and left him to die. Local residents eventually took him to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. He left behind a wife and three young children.

Iftikhar Saleem, the victim’s younger brother, told Asia News that the police arrested the killer only after public protest.

“The police are conniving with the perpetrators, who are part of rich criminal families,” he said. “We want justice…We are poor and we do not have the strength to fight these thugs. We call upon all the people of God to help us and pray for the wife of Vicky and her three little children: now they are the most vulnerable and defenseless.”

Just 16 days later, Alvin John and his family were brutally attacked in the Mehmoodabad neighborhood of Karachi.

…

For interviews with William Stark, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].