LAHORE, Pakistan— In a harrowing incident that has sent shockwaves across Pakistan, Naveed Masih, a Christian sanitary worker employed at the Punjab Assembly, was found fatally shot inside the Members of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Hostel late Friday night. The killing has drawn widespread condemnation from civil society, human-rights organizations, and minority advocacy groups, all demanding a swift and impartial investigation.
According to authorities, the incident occurred in a room associated with provincial legislator Sabtain Shah at the Lahore assembly hostel. Masih was discovered with a lethal gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital for post-mortem examination. Police have launched an intensive investigation to determine whether the death was the result of suicide, accident, or foul play, leaving no possibility unexplored. Senior officials are meticulously reviewing all evidence to reconstruct the events that led to the tragedy.
The killing has reignited the ongoing discourse over the vulnerabilities faced by religious minorities in Pakistan, particularly Christians, who continue to face systemic harassment, discrimination, and violence. LEAD Ministries, an organization that documents attacks on Christian communities, condemned the killing and called for urgent accountability. Pastor Imran Amanat, leader of LEAD Ministries, emphasized the need for transparency, stating, “This tragic death underscores the precarious position of minority communities in Pakistan. Justice must be delivered without delay, without bias, and without external influence. Those responsible must be held fully accountable.”
Sardar Mushtaq Gill, founder of LEAD Ministries, stressed that the demand for justice extends beyond a single life. “Securing justice for Naveed Masih is not just about one individual; it is a measure of the safety, dignity, and rights of all religious minorities in our country. Continued impunity only deepens fear, erodes trust in institutions, and emboldens those who perpetrate violence.”
As the investigation unfolds, police continue to collect evidence, interview witnesses, and explore all possible angles. Meanwhile, advocates and community leaders are urging authorities to act decisively, ensuring that the probe is comprehensive, impartial, and visible to the public.
The death of Naveed Masih has once again highlighted the urgent need for structural reforms to protect minority communities, uphold the rule of law, and restore public confidence in Pakistan’s institutions. The nation watches closely, with growing calls for justice resonating across civil society, as the tragedy underscores the fragile position of those who are often voiceless in the face of violence and discrimination.
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