In the small town of Sultan Town, Sargodha, Punjab, a 15-year-old Christian boy, Shamraiz Masih, went missing on Monday, July 21, 2025. A day that began like any other for Shamraiz – leaving his home to purchase household items – ended in a nightmare that his family could never have imagined. Shamraiz did not return.
His mother, Rehana Imran, a Christian widow, has been left desperate and heartbroken. Her world was shattered, knowing that her son, her young boy, is now believed to be in the custody of Muslim individuals in the area. What’s even more terrifying is the family’s growing fear that Shamraiz is being forced into conversion, with the possibility of his religious identity being stripped away against his will.
Shamraiz’s family, particularly his brother Sahil Masih, filed an FIR (First Information Report) under Section 365 of the Pakistan Penal Code for abduction on July 22, 2025. The case has already been deemed a matter of urgent concern. According to reports, Shamraiz is being held by five suspects, including individuals named Tuheed, Rehman, and Munir. But as of now, no arrests have been made, leaving his family to struggle with the pain of uncertainty.
His mother, Rehana, spoke with an aching heart, pleading with the authorities and the community for help. “He is only 15. I have been denied contact with him, and authorities have not taken meaningful action,” she said, her voice trembling with fear and hopelessness. “I beg the government, civil society, and Muslim community leaders to help bring my son back.”
Pastor Imran Amanat shared the grief of this devastated family, calling upon the Pakistani government to act swiftly and ensure justice for Shamraiz. He urged the global Christian community to unite in prayer, sending their support to the persecuted Christians in Pakistan.
Sardar Mushtaq Gill, the founder of LEAD Ministries Pakistan, forcefully condemned this act, reminding us that, regardless of any narrative suggesting Shamraiz went willingly, his young age legally classifies this as abduction under Pakistani law. The very law meant to protect him has failed to shield him from the heartache he faces now. Gill also emphasized the systemic issues that plague Christians in Pakistan, noting that social pressures often force young Christians into vulnerable situations, including forced conversions.
The Masih family’s agony is not an isolated incident. Christians in Pakistan continue to suffer from a lack of legal protection and are frequently subjected to social discrimination. Shamraiz’s case highlights the vulnerability of religious minorities, especially young Christians, who often find themselves caught in the crosshairs of forced conversions, violence, and societal prejudice.
This case is a call to action, not just for the authorities but for all of us. Shamraiz is not just a statistic, not just a name on a police report—he is a child, a son, a member of a community, and a human being. His family needs our support, and Shamraiz needs to be brought back to the loving arms of his mother. We must all stand together to demand justice, uphold human dignity, and call for stronger safeguards to protect religious minorities in Pakistan from further injustice.
As we watch this story unfold, let it be a reminder that it is our collective responsibility to fight for a world where no child, no parent, no family has to suffer the pain of abduction, forced conversion, or persecution based on their faith. Let Shamraiz’s return home symbolize hope for justice, for every Christian in Pakistan who lives in fear, and for a future where every child can grow up in safety and peace.