Christian Persecution Surges: Sardar Mushtaq Gill Backs USCIRF CPC Recommendation, Urges Focus on Killings, Torture, and Forced Conversions of Boys and Girls

LEAD Ministries Founder calls on the international community to highlight the brutal reality in Pakistan, where Christians face mob violence, torture, killings, blasphemy accusations, and forced conversions of girls and boys to Islam, often for marriage or coercion.

Pakistan — March 8, 2026 — Sardar Mushtaq Gill, founder of LEAD Ministries, has welcomed the recommendation made by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urging the United States Department of State to redesignate Pakistan as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to severe and ongoing violations of religious freedom.

Gill praised USCIRF for documenting the misuse of blasphemy laws, mob violence, and forced conversions affecting Christian and Hindu communities. However, he stressed that reports must also highlight the escalating violence, torture, killings, and forced conversions of boys alongside girls, which too often go underreported.

“While USCIRF’s recommendation for CPC redesignation is welcome, it is vital that the international community understands the brutal reality Christians face every day,” Gill said. “Reports must acknowledge torture, killings, forced conversions, and public humiliation, which continue to terrorize entire communities.”

Documented Violence and Killings

Gill highlighted several recent incidents demonstrating the severity of persecution against Christians:

• Zahid Morris, a 36‑year‑old Catholic from Bahawalpur, was allegedly doused with petrol and set on fire by a Muslim neighbor following a minor dispute, suffering severe burns to his face and neck.
• Waqas Masih, a 22‑year‑old Christian factory worker, was severely injured after a Muslim coworker allegedly slit his throat, accusing him of touching an Islamic textbook with “unclean hands.”
• Marqas Masih, a Christian worker employed for four years by his Muslim landlord, was reportedly tortured, burned, and hanged from a girder in an apparent attempt to stage a suicide. Local authorities are accused of facilitating the release of his body before protests forced the arrest of the accused.
• Maryam, an 11‑year‑old Christian girl in Gujranwala, was abducted and murdered by a neighbor. The brutal killing left her community shocked and grieving, underscoring the urgent need to protect children.
• Naveed Masih, a Christian sanitary worker employed at the Punjab Assembly, was found fatally shot inside the Members of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Hostel, an incident that drew widespread condemnation from civil society, human‑rights organizations, and minority advocacy groups.
• Imran Masih, a Christian laborer from Chak No. 93 RB, Chatti Jaranwala, was allegedly abducted and forced into bonded labor by a powerful brick kiln owner, leaving his wife and five young children appealing publicly for his release.

Forced Conversions of Boys and Girls

Gill stressed that underage Christian boys are also victims of forced religious conversions, alongside girls.

He cited the case of Jameel Masih, a 14‑year‑old from Sheikhupura District, who was reportedly forcibly converted to Islam and held in illegal custody by landlord Muhammad Boota Bajwa. Poverty compelled the family to send Jameel to work at the landlord’s cattle shed, and their attempts to retrieve him were met with threats and violence.

Gill also emphasized that Christian girls continue to face forced conversions and marriages, often at a young age. These cases highlight the urgent need for protective laws and their strict enforcement.

Blasphemy Laws and Collective Targeting of Christians

Gill further stressed that blasphemy laws continue to often target the Christian community as a whole, resulting in imprisonment, mob attacks, and the displacement of entire families.

“Christians continue to endure systemic discrimination, violence, and forced conversions,” Gill said. “The international community must urgently monitor these abuses and advocate for legal reforms to ensure justice, protection, and equal rights for all religious minorities.”

LEAD Ministries’ Mission

LEAD Ministries focuses on documenting cases of Christian persecution and raising awareness rather than providing financial assistance to victims. The organization collects verified reports of violence, torture, killings, and forced conversions at the grassroots level, highlighting these abuses to the international community, policymakers, and human‑rights advocates. Christians often face such persecution because of their faith and are mistreated by the majority community, frequently subjected to derogatory slurs such as “Chura” during these torture cases. LEAD Ministries’ goal is to ensure that religious minorities are recognized, their suffering is acknowledged, and systemic reforms are pursued to protect vulnerable communities.

LEAD Ministries is also a Christian faith‑based organization whose primary purpose is to protect and strengthen the Christian faith in Pakistan. The ministry carries out its mission through discipleship programs, church‑planting initiatives, pastoral care, women’s fellowships, and advocacy for religious freedom. By combining spiritual growth with community support and rights advocacy, LEAD Ministries seeks to empower Christians, uphold their faith, and ensure their voices are heard in the face of persecution.

Call for Global Action

Gill urged USCIRF and the international community to fully document and publicize these cases of killings, torture, and forced conversions. He emphasized that his recommendation to USCIRF is that accurate reporting is essential to push for legal reforms, protect vulnerable communities, and hold perpetrators accountable.

Gill called on governments, human‑rights organizations, and international legal bodies to stand with religious minorities and press for meaningful reforms that ensure justice and protection for all citizens, regardless of faith.

Child in Danger, Community in Shock: Attempted Violence Against Christian Girl Sparks Alarm Over Persecution

Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan — A deeply disturbing incident has shaken communities in the Sheikhupura District, where a 10‑year‑old Christian girl was reportedly targeted in a violent attack by a local man, identified as Muhammad Wasim Butt. The alleged assault occurred in Manawarabad, within the jurisdiction of Safdarabad Police Station, specifically in Banda Nawan Kot, Chak No. 79, drawing widespread shock and condemnation from human rights advocates and religious leaders.

Sources familiar with the case reported that the young girl was subjected to violence under circumstances that are still under investigation by local authorities. Safdarabad police have registered a case and launched inquiries to determine the motive and nature of the assault. At this time, no formal charges have been publicly disclosed, and police officials have urged the public to exercise restraint as the investigation continues.

The attack has drawn sharp criticism from religious leaders and civil rights organizations, who say it highlights ongoing concerns about the safety and protection of religious minorities in Pakistan. Pastor Imran Amanat, Director of LEAD Ministries, condemned the assault in unequivocal terms, stating that violence against innocent children — particularly due to their faith — is intolerable and demands immediate action from authorities.

Pastor Amanat stressed the need for justice, urging law enforcement to take all necessary steps to ensure the girl’s safety and hold the perpetrators accountable. He also called on the provincial government to strengthen protections for vulnerable communities and promote interfaith harmony across the region.

“The brutal assault on a child — someone so young and defenseless — is not only a crime against an individual but also an affront to the very principles of humanity and dignity,” Pastor Amanat said. “We stand with the family and the community in demanding a swift and transparent investigation, and we call on the authorities to ensure that justice is served.”

Sardar Mushtaq Gill, founder of LEAD Ministries, highlighted the organization’s mission, stating: “LEAD Ministries primarily focuses on documenting persecution and raising awareness of violence against Christians and human rights violations, rather than providing financial assistance to victims. However, we are actively seeking partnerships with individuals, churches, and human rights and Christian organizations working on behalf of persecuted communities. Through cooperation and solidarity, we can strengthen efforts to ensure justice and protection for those facing persecution.”

This incident comes amid broader concerns about discrimination and violence faced by religious minorities in parts of Pakistan, where systemic issues such as marginalization, socio-economic disparities, and occasional lapses in institutional protection exacerbate community anxieties.

Local officials have assured the public that the investigation is ongoing and that all necessary legal procedures will be followed. Authorities have appealed for calm and patience as they gather evidence and seek clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Community leaders and human rights advocates continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the fundamental rights of every citizen, regardless of faith or background.

Outrage in Pakistan: Christian Child Dies After Trust Hospital Denies Treatment in Karachi

Karachi, Pakistan — A heartbreaking incident in Karachi has sparked widespread outrage after a two-and-a-half-year-old Christian child reportedly died when Jinnah Medical Saeed Trust Hospital allegedly refused to provide emergency treatment until a payment of 3,000 Pakistani rupees was made.

According to reports, LEAD Ministries came to know about the tragedy involving the child, identified as Darla, who was rushed to the hospital by her mother, Huma Michael, after the child began suffering severe health complications.

Medical staff reportedly recommended immediate admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and prescribed necessary medicines. However, hospital administrators allegedly insisted on receiving the full payment before commencing treatment. Huma Michael said she only had 800 rupees at the time and begged the doctors to start treatment while her husband traveled to the hospital with the remaining amount.

“I kept folding my hands in front of the doctors and begged them not to stop my daughter’s treatment. I told them my husband was bringing the money,” she said. By the time the father arrived with the required payment, the child had reportedly already passed away.

Pastor Imran Amanat, Director of LEAD Ministries, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy: “This heartbreaking incident raises serious questions about humanity and responsibility within healthcare institutions. No child should lose their life because a family could not immediately arrange a small payment. Hospitals, especially those operating as a trust, should prioritize saving lives over financial requirements. Emergency treatment should never be delayed due to payment issues.”

Sardar Mushtaq Gill, Founder of LEAD Ministries, called on the Christian community and human rights defenders to pray for the grieving family and seek justice:

“We request prayers for the victim’s family and restoration for those affected by this tragedy. We also call upon authorities to ensure justice and accountability.”

He further clarified the mission of LEAD Ministries:

“LEAD Ministries focuses primarily on documenting persecution and raising awareness of violence against Christians and human rights rather than providing financial assistance to victims. However, we are actively seeking partnerships with individuals, churches, and human rights and Christian organisations working for persecuted Christians. Through cooperation and solidarity, we can strengthen our efforts to ensure justice and protection for persecuted communities.”

LEAD Ministries team also expressed a vision to launch projects aimed at supporting vulnerable Christian families in Pakistan. These initiatives would provide community support, empower marginalized Christians, and strengthen local churches, contributing to the broader growth and development of the Christian community while promoting dignity, resilience, and faith.

The incident has raised serious concerns about emergency medical practices, hospital ethics, and access to healthcare for marginalized communities in Pakistan. Advocates say denying emergency care due to an upfront payment requirement could violate both medical ethics and legal obligations. Authorities have not yet publicly responded, and it remains unclear whether an official inquiry has been launched.