Pakistan: The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) is supporting a Christian family in Pattoki, Punjab, after their home was deliberately set ablaze in what appears to be a revenge attack stemming from the theft of church property. 

On 5th July 2026, Arshad Masih (34), his wife Kafia Bibi (33), and their two young sons, Haniyal (8) and Abraham (5), were attending a Sunday service at the Pakistan Gospel Church when three Muslim men allegedly entered their property and set it on fire using petrol. 

The attack followed an argument several days earlier concerning the theft of a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) backup battery from the church. 

The burnt roof of Arshad Masih’s home, showing the extensive structural damage caused by the fire. 

Church Battery Theft Led to Violent Retaliation 

Arshad Masih serves on his church’s management committee. Following the theft of the church’s power backup battery on 2nd July, he questioned a local man, Muhammad Rizwan, whom many suspected of stealing it. 

Instead of denying the allegation, one of Rizwan’s associates, Muhammad Aurangzeb, also known as Jani, reportedly admitted responsibility and openly threatened Arshad. 

“Yes! We have stolen the battery. Go do whatever you want to get the battery from us.” 

Three days later, while Arshad and his family were worshipping at church, the men allegedly took revenge. 

According to Arshad, Muhammad Rizwan climbed over the boundary wall of the family home before pouring petrol throughout the property and setting it alight. He only learned of the attack when a local resident who witnessed the crime telephoned him during the church service. 

“It took me half an hour to arrive at my home, but everything had been burnt.” 

“I could not save my hard-earned property.” 

Neighbours desperately battled the flames, throwing water onto the burning house in an attempt to save what remained of the family’s home, but the fire had already caused devastating destruction. 

Recalling the heartbreaking scene, Arshad said: 

“The smoke was rising from inside the rooms when I arrived. I could not believe that my hard-earned property had been destroyed.” 

Burnt kitchen utensils highlight the extensive damage caused to the family’s kitchen, leaving them without essential household items following the fire. 

Family Loses Home, Business and Belongings 

The fire destroyed almost everything the family owned. 

Among the items lost were: 

Four charpai (traditional rope beds) 

A sofa set 

LCD television 

Clothing and blankets 

400kg of stored wheat 

School books and bags belonging to the children 

Rs.50,000 (£134) in cash 

Four electric fans 

Ten boxes of fruit kept for Arshad’s business 

The blaze also severely damaged the structure of the house, leaving cracks in both the walls and roof. 

Arshad estimates the family’s total losses at approximately Rs.750,000 (£2,010)—an impossible sum for a daily wage fruit seller to replace. 

Fire damage to the roof and ceiling fans inside Arshad Masih’s home following the arson attack. 

Family Forced Apart 

Unable to live in the burnt-out property, the family has been forced to separate and seek refuge with relatives. 

Arshad explained: 

“I have left one of my sons with my in-laws while the other stays with my elder brother, Niamat Masih.” 

The emotional toll of the attack has compounded the family’s financial hardship, leaving them without a home, without savings and with their livelihood severely affected. 

Burnt charpais (traditional woven beds) among the household items destroyed in the fire that devastated Arshad Masih’s home. 

Police Investigation 

When Arshad Masih arrived at his home and found the property engulfed in flames, he immediately contacted the emergency services by dialling 15, Pakistan’s police emergency helpline. Police from Sara-e-Mughal responded and arrived at the scene, but no fire service attended to help extinguish the blaze, despite the severity of the situation. 

The absence of a timely response from the emergency services has raised serious concerns within the community. Given the alleged influence of those accused, the family fears that pressure, interference, or improper influence may have contributed to the failure of the relevant authorities to provide an adequate emergency response. BACA is seeking clarity on these concerns and will continue to monitor developments closely. 

Following the incident, police interviewed local residents, and several anonymous witnesses independently confirmed that they had seen the named perpetrators carrying out the arson attack. Based on these witness statements, police registered First Information Report (FIR No. 757/26) against Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Iqbal, and Muhammad Aurangzeb (Jani) under Sections 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance) and 379 (theft) of the Pakistan Penal Code. 

However, despite the seriousness of the attack and the destruction caused to the family’s home, none of the accused have been arrested, having obtained interim bail from the courts. 

BACA will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and work alongside trusted partners to support the family, advocate for accountability, and ensure that Arshad Masih and his family receive the protection and justice they deserve. 

The charred schoolbooks and educational materials of Arshad Masih’s children were destroyed in the fire, adding to the family’s devastating losses. 

BACA Provides Immediate Support 

On 8th July 2026, a BACA team visited Arshad and his family to offer comfort, assess the damage and provide emergency assistance. 

Recognising that Arshad’s fruit-selling business is his family’s only source of income, BACA provided £100 to help him begin rebuilding his livelihood. 

Expressing his gratitude, Arshad said: 

“I am thankful to BACA for this much-needed help. I have nothing left to survive on but faith in the Lord.” 

BACA now hopes to raise £2,000 to help repair the family’s home, replace essential household items and enable them to rebuild their lives with dignity. 

Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee of the British Asian Christian Association, said: 

“No family should return from worship to find their home reduced to ashes because they dared to challenge criminality. This attack was not simply an act of arson—it robbed innocent children of their security, destroyed a family’s only source of income, and left parents facing the impossible task of rebuilding from nothing. The failure to swiftly detain those accused only deepens the family’s sense of vulnerability. BACA will stand beside Arshad and his family for as long as it takes, providing practical support while continuing to advocate for justice. We appeal to compassionate people around the world to help us restore not only a home and a livelihood, but also hope for a family whose faith has remained unshaken despite unimaginable suffering.”