The death of 28-year-old Christian worker Asif Masih is a heartbreaking reminder of the violence and injustice that continues to plague vulnerable communities in rural Pakistan. On the fateful night between April 29 and 30, Asif, who had been working at Mushtaq Ahmad’s farm for the past year, was subjected to horrific torture at the hands of a group of men associated with a local landlord in the village of Saho Ki Malian, Sheikhupura.
Asif, along with his colleague Irfan Dogar, was tasked with operating a thresher machine. The two men were returning to the village early the next morning when they were accosted near the agricultural tube well of Ashfaq Dogar. The assailants, identified as Imran, Naseer, Gharib Alam, Allah Yar, Sufiyan, and two unidentified individuals, confronted them, accusing Asif of deliberately allowing cattle into their fields. Imran, in a moment of unchecked aggression, ordered his group to seize Asif. When Irfan tried to intervene, his life was threatened as well.
What followed was nothing short of brutal. Witnesses recall hearing the sounds of the assault, but fear of retribution silenced any act of courage from those who could have helped. Asif, grievously injured, was rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital in Sheikhupura, where he fought for his life until May 5, when he finally succumbed to his injuries.
The pain that Asif’s family must feel is unimaginable. His tragic death is not just an individual loss—it reflects the harsh realities faced by many in rural Christian communities, where violence against marginalized workers too often goes unpunished. The FIR, filed by Asif’s employer Mushtaq Ahmad, charges the accused with sections 302 (murder), 147 (rioting), and 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Pakistan Penal Code. Yet, this is not just a legal matter; it’s a question of human dignity, a plea for justice that resonates across every community that has witnessed such tragedies.
Asif Masih’s funeral on May 7 was attended by a large crowd of mourners, with Christian community members from near and far coming together to condemn this senseless loss of life. They gathered not just to mourn but to demand swift justice for a man who was killed over baseless accusations. Among those in attendance was Azhar S. Malik, Coordinator of The Edge Foundation, who stood by the grieving family and expressed deep sorrow for the devastating loss. The foundation, in touch with the family since the incident, has offered legal aid, continuing to support the family through this harrowing time.
Malik condemned the killing as not just an isolated incident but a part of a wider pattern of violence against Christian workers in rural Pakistan. He recalled the case of Shahid Masih, another Christian man brutally murdered by his landlord over a false accusation of goat theft. Despite later proving Shahid’s innocence, his life was stolen with no accountability. Malik’s words were filled with both grief and frustration as he stated, “The lives of Christians in rural areas are often treated as worthless.” He emphasized the urgency of bringing justice to Asif, calling for the immediate arrest of those responsible for his death.
This senseless act is a painful reminder of the prejudices and injustices that still run rampant in the system. The Edge Foundation, alongside many others, is standing firm in its call for justice. Asif Masih’s story is not one of just a worker, but a son, a brother, and a member of a community that deserves respect, protection, and dignity. His death must not be forgotten. It must fuel a movement for accountability, for justice, and for the future where no Christian worker is ever subjected to such cruelty again.