On January 6, 2025, a horrifying incident unfolded in Gujranwala, Pakistan, where Shabana Bibi, a Christian mother, was shot dead, and her 18-year-old daughter, Misbah, sustained critical injuries. The attack occurred near Magnolia Park Bridge as the two women were returning home from work. Eyewitness accounts reveal that two unidentified men on motorbikes ambushed them, opening fire without provocation. Shabana died on the spot, while Misbah, who was shot in the back, was rushed to Civil Hospital Gujranwala (Christians in Crisis, 2025).
This is not an isolated incident. On January 1, Suleman Masih, a young Christian farmer, was brutally murdered in Kot Asad Ullah after enduring months of harassment and threats. Despite his repeated complaints to local authorities, no action was taken to protect him (ACN International, 2025). These recent events paint a grim picture of the systemic insecurity faced by Pakistan’s Christian community.
Why are such incidents becoming a recurring reality for minorities in Pakistan? The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) affirms in Article 3 that “Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person” (United Nations, 1948). Similarly, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) asserts in Article 6 that “Every human being has the inherent right to life” and that this right must be protected by law (United Nations, 1966). Yet, these rights remain an unfulfilled promise for many minorities in Pakistan, raising the question: Is the state truly committed to safeguarding the lives of its most vulnerable citizens?
Moreover, these attacks reveal deeper cracks in the enforcement of laws meant to protect religious minorities. Article 7 of the UDHR clearly states that “All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law” (United Nations, 1948). How, then, can these recent events persist without accountability? Why do religious minorities lack adequate protection under the law? The systemic failures in ensuring equal protection are glaring and demand urgent attention.
The ICCPR’s Article 27 stresses that “persons belonging to persons belonging to such minorities shall not be denied the right, in community with the other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practice their own religion, or to use their own language.” (United Nations, 1966). Yet, when Christians fear walking home from work or farming their fields, can we genuinely claim that their rights to religious freedom and security are being upheld? These incidents reveal a sobering truth: Pakistan is falling short of its obligations to uphold these fundamental rights.
Equally alarming is the state’s inaction. While reports indicate that First Information Reports (FIRs) were lodged, why are preventive measures absent? Why do perpetrators of such crimes often enjoy impunity? These questions strike at the heart of Pakistan’s human rights framework, revealing a profound failure to implement existing laws and protect vulnerable groups.
The failure to address these issues not only violates international treaties but fosters an environment of fear and marginalization. Article 5 of the UDHR explicitly prohibits “cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment” (United Nations, 1948). Yet, targeted violence against minorities continues to flourish unchecked.
If the rights of minorities continue to be ignored, will we be able to truly align with the principles of justice and equality enshrined in global human rights charters? The international community also has a role in fostering awareness and encouraging adherence to obligations under the UDHR and ICCPR. Collaborative efforts must focus on promoting transparency, accountability, and meaningful actions to address these pressing issues.
Until meaningful action is taken, minorities in Pakistan will remain trapped in a cycle of violence, silenced by fear, and deprived of their most basic rights. How many more lives must be lost before change becomes a reality?