In a deeply distressing incident, a Christian family of six experienced a severe assault that escalated from a request for reduced noise levels to an attempted murder. The family, residing on the first floor of a three-story building in Model Colony No.2, Walton Road, Lahore, approached their ground-floor neighbour, Muhammad Mumtaz Shah, to lower his music volume around 1 am. This appeal led to a violent response where Shah targeted the family, critically injuring Shaheen Bibi, a 38-year-old mother, by shooting her in the abdomen. Her 15-year-old son, Numan Masih, also suffered gunshot wounds to his right hand. The attack occurred following several threats from Shah, who had expressed hostile sentiments towards the family’s presence, citing their religious practices as incompatible with his beliefs. This incident has highlighted the severe consequences of intolerance and the urgent need for community harmony and respect among neighbours.
In a distressing escalation of violence, Muhammad Mumtaz Shah, overwhelmed by anger, wielded a firearm and subjected a Christian family to intense verbal abuse for merely requesting a noise reduction. His threats escalated to the chilling pronouncement, “You Chuhra! How dare you mess with me? I will kill you tonight,” moments before he grievously wounded Shaheen Bibi and her son Numan with his 12-gauge rifle.
The aftermath of this attack saw prompt action from emergency services, who were alerted by a distress call from a vigilant neighbour. Law enforcement swiftly detained Shah, while Shaheen and Numan were urgently transported to a hospital. Shaheen underwent initial surgery in the ICU to remove the bullets; however, she faced complications leading to an abdominal infection and required subsequent surgery on April 26th to address this serious condition.
Shehzad Masih has shared updates with the British Asian Christian Association regarding his family’s ordeal. Fortunately, Numan’s hand is on the mend, offering a small solace amid these harrowing times. Nevertheless, Shaheen Bibi faces a prolonged recovery at General Hospital Lahore, highlighting the arduous journey ahead for the family.
The severity of Shah’s actions has resulted in the filing of a First Information Report against him under section 324 of the Pakistan Penal Code, lodged at the Factory Area Police Station on April 25th. This incident underscores the dire need for community safety and the enforcement of laws to protect all individuals from such unfathomable acts of violence.
In his statement recorded at the police station, Muhammad Mumtaz Shah sought to rationalize his egregious conduct by attributing it to high blood pressure. It is profoundly disturbing that such a brutal act of violence could be excused under any circumstance. Moreover, the revelation that Shah is a Hafiz-e-Quran—entrusted with the memorization and preservation of the Quran—deepens the shock and dismay surrounding this grave incident.
Pakistani law states that anyone who commits an act with the intention or knowledge that it could lead to murder, under circumstances where such an act constitutes qatl-i-amd (premeditated murder), shall face imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years but shall not be less than five years if the crime is committed in the name of or on the pretext of honor. Additionally, the offender will be liable to a fine. If the act causes injury, the perpetrator will face further penalties appropriate to the harm inflicted. Should the prescribed punishment for the injury be qisas (retribution), which cannot be executed, the offender shall also be liable to arsh (compensation) and may face imprisonment of up to seven years.
This legal framework underscores the severity of Shah’s actions and the significant repercussions awaiting him as the judicial process unfolds.
Shehzad Masih, a 45-year-old husband and father, recounted the harrowing events that unfolded following a complaint about loud noise. Muhammad Mumtaz, a recent tenant on the ground floor of their building, was frequently disruptive, often playing music at volumes high enough to disturb the peace of Shehzad’s family. Living alone, Mumtaz’s disregard for others extended to late hours, significantly affecting the Masih family’s rest. Particularly affected was their two-year-old daughter, Barkha, who found herself unable to sleep and cried incessantly due to the noise.
In a deeply distressing incident, a Christian family of six experienced a severe assault that escalated from a request for reduced noise levels to an attempted murder. The family, residing on the first floor of a three-story building in Model Colony No.2, Walton Road, Lahore, approached their ground-floor neighbour, Muhammad Mumtaz Shah, to lower his music volume around 1 am. This appeal led to a violent response where Shah targeted the family, critically injuring Shaheen Bibi, a 38-year-old mother, by shooting her in the abdomen. Her 15-year-old son, Numan Masih, also suffered gunshot wounds to his right hand. The attack occurred following several threats from Shah, who had expressed hostile sentiments towards the family’s presence, citing their religious practices as incompatible with his beliefs. This incident has highlighted the severe consequences of intolerance and the urgent need for community harmony and respect among neighbours.
In a distressing escalation of violence, Muhammad Mumtaz Shah, overwhelmed by anger, wielded a firearm and subjected a Christian family to intense verbal abuse for merely requesting a noise reduction. His threats escalated to the chilling pronouncement, “You Chuhra! How dare you mess with me? I will kill you tonight,” moments before he grievously wounded Shaheen Bibi and her son Numan with his 12-gauge rifle.
The aftermath of this attack saw prompt action from emergency services, who were alerted by a distress call from a vigilant neighbour. Law enforcement swiftly detained Shah, while Shaheen and Numan were urgently transported to a hospital. Shaheen underwent initial surgery in the ICU to remove the bullets; however, she faced complications leading to an abdominal infection and required subsequent surgery on April 26th to address this serious condition.
Shehzad Masih has shared updates with the British Asian Christian Association regarding his family’s ordeal. Fortunately, Numan’s hand is on the mend, offering a small solace amid these harrowing times. Nevertheless, Shaheen Bibi faces a prolonged recovery at General Hospital Lahore, highlighting the arduous journey ahead for the family.
The severity of Shah’s actions has resulted in the filing of a First Information Report against him under section 324 of the Pakistan Penal Code, lodged at the Factory Area Police Station on April 25th. This incident underscores the dire need for community safety and the enforcement of laws to protect all individuals from such unfathomable acts of violence.
In his statement recorded at the police station, Muhammad Mumtaz Shah sought to rationalize his egregious conduct by attributing it to high blood pressure. It is profoundly disturbing that such a brutal act of violence could be excused under any circumstance. Moreover, the revelation that Shah is a Hafiz-e-Quran—entrusted with the memorization and preservation of the Quran—deepens the shock and dismay surrounding this grave incident.
Pakistani law states that anyone who commits an act with the intention or knowledge that it could lead to murder, under circumstances where such an act constitutes qatl-i-amd (premeditated murder), shall face imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years but shall not be less than five years if the crime is committed in the name of or on the pretext of honor. Additionally, the offender will be liable to a fine. If the act causes injury, the perpetrator will face further penalties appropriate to the harm inflicted. Should the prescribed punishment for the injury be qisas (retribution), which cannot be executed, the offender shall also be liable to arsh (compensation) and may face imprisonment of up to seven years.
This legal framework underscores the severity of Shah’s actions and the significant repercussions awaiting him as the judicial process unfolds.
Shehzad Masih, a 45-year-old husband and father, recounted the harrowing events that unfolded following a complaint about loud noise. Muhammad Mumtaz, a recent tenant on the ground floor of their building, was frequently disruptive, often playing music at volumes high enough to disturb the peace of Shehzad’s family. Living alone, Mumtaz’s disregard for others extended to late hours, significantly affecting the Masih family’s rest. Particularly affected was their two-year-old daughter, Barkha, who found herself unable to sleep and cried incessantly due to the noise.