Chak Jhumra, Pakistan: In a heartbreaking incident of religious intolerance, a young Christian man named Fiyaz Masih, hailing from Chak Jhumra, was brutally beaten and subjected to public humiliation by Muslim landlords on the false accusation of cutting wood. The young man, who was already struggling with the burden of poverty, was not only tortured but had his face blackened, his head and eyebrows shaved, and was paraded through the streets of the village for all to witness.

Fiyaz’s plight is yet another reminder of the widespread persecution faced by Christians in Pakistan, particularly those in marginalized communities. Despite the absence of any evidence or justification for the accusations, his persecutors, emboldened by a climate of religious hostility, took the law into their own hands, subjecting him to a savage form of public shaming.

Pastor Imran Amanat, the leader of LEAD Ministries Pakistan, has strongly condemned the incident and called for immediate justice. “This barbaric act against Fiyaz Masih is a stark example of the persecution that Christians in Pakistan continue to endure,” Pastor Amanat stated. “We urge the authorities to take swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the protection of vulnerable Christian youth from such violent extremism. It is high time that the state upholds the rights of religious minorities and prevents such instances of mob rule and inhuman treatment.”

LEAD Ministries, an advocacy group dedicated to raising its voice for persecuted Christians, has long been at the forefront of fighting for justice for victims of religious persecution in Pakistan. The organization has tirelessly highlighted the rampant victimization of Christians due to their faith and continues to call on both national and international communities to address these injustices.

This latest incident underscores the dire need for systemic change in the treatment of religious minorities, especially in rural areas where intolerance and extremism often prevail. The abuse of Fiyaz Masih is not an isolated case but part of a broader pattern of discrimination and violence that has plagued Pakistan's Christian community for decades.

“We will not stand idle while innocent Christians are being tortured and humiliated simply for practicing their faith,” Pastor Amanat added. “We will continue to raise our voices until justice is served and until the authorities protect all their citizens, regardless of their religion.”

As the investigation into this shameful act continues, the world watches to see whether the authorities in Pakistan will uphold the principles of justice, equality, and human dignity for all its citizens. LEAD Ministries remains committed to advocating for the rights of Christians and calls on both the government and the international community to ensure that such attacks never go unpunished again.

The case of Fiyaz Masih is a chilling reminder that the persecution of religious minorities is not a distant issue but an ongoing struggle that demands immediate attention and action.