By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
SHEIKHUPURA, INDIA (Worthy News) – A Christian laborer has died in Pakistan’s Punjab province after being “beaten by Muslim men” and suffering police “mistreatment,” Christian sources told Worthy News on Tuesday.
Asif Masih died under “tragic circumstances in the village of Sahoki Maalian, near [the city] of Sheikhupura,” said Sardar Mushtaq Gill, a prominent Christian human rights lawyer.
Masih was “brutally beaten by a group of Muslim men and later subjected to police mistreatment. His death has ignited protests and renewed concerns over the treatment of religious minorities in Pakistan,” added Gill, who closely follows the case.
Masih had reportedly been working through the night harvesting wheat for local landlord Mushtaq Ahmad.
As he returned home with fellow laborer Irfan Dogar in the early morning hours, the two were intercepted by Muhammad Imran and several others, according to Christians familiar with the situation.
“The assailants accused Asif of allowing his livestock to stray into their fields and proceeded to beat him violently. Following the assault, the group contacted police, who arrived and took Asif into custody,” Gill explained to Worthy News.
‘POLICE BRIBE’
At the police station, Asif’s brother, Kashif Masih, and landlord, Mushtaq Ahmad, tried to intervene. Still, a police official allegedly demanded a bribe for not filing a formal case. When the bribe was initially refused, Asif remained in custody, where his condition “worsened,” Christiana said.
“Fearing for his life, Mushtaq Ahmad eventually paid 7,000 Pakistani rupees ($25) to the officer to secure Asif’s release and arranged for his admission to a hospital. Despite receiving medical treatment for two days, Asif succumbed to his injuries and died,” Gill recalled.
Mushtaq Ahmad tried to register a murder case at the Saddar Police Station, Worthy News learned.
However, police employed “delaying tactics,” prompting the victim’s family to organize protests, Christians said.
“The family is demanding justice for Asif Masih, including the immediate arrest of those involved in the initial attack and accountability from police,” Gill stressed.
The family and other sources publicly named the suspects involved in the beating as Muhammad Imran, Naseer, Allah Yar, Ghareeb Alam, Sufyan, and two unidentified individuals.
‘RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION’
The police official allegedly asking for the bribe was named as Assistant Sub-Inspector Riaz Uppal. There was no immediate comment from the police and suspects; however, they were likely denying wrongdoing.
Pastor Imran Amanat, director of the advocacy group LEAD Ministries Pakistan, strongly condemned the incident.
“The murder of this innocent Christian man highlights the ongoing persecution of religious minorities in our country. We call for the arrest of all those responsible—both civilians and law enforcement,” the pastor stressed.
Gill, who founded LEAD Ministries, told Worthy News that “Christians in Pakistan remain vulnerable not only due to their faith but also because of their poverty, which limits their access to justice. We ask for prayers and support to seek justice for Asif.”
Rights activists have demanded structural reforms to address “systemic discrimination” against minority Christians in Pakistan, a mainly Muslim nation.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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