In a tragic escalation of religious violence in Pakistan, a Christian man has been tortured and hanged to death in Sargodha, Punjab, following allegations of blasphemy. This incident is part of a disturbing pattern of religious persecution where blasphemy laws are frequently exploited against minority communities.
The victim’s death underscores the ongoing plight of Christians in Pakistan, who face severe discrimination and are often relegated to low-status jobs, such as sanitation work, and subjected to derogatory terms like “Chuhra.” These workers are frequently targeted with abusive language and marginalized in society.
In addition to this, Christian communities are facing systemic injustices, including the refusal of police to file First Information Reports (FIRs) in cases involving the rape of Christian girls. Instead of pursuing justice, authorities have been known to threaten the victims’ families, exacerbating the already dire situation for religious minorities.
These recent events highlight the entrenched discrimination, violence, and denial of basic rights experienced by Pakistan’s Christian minority. Often, such abuses arise from perceived insults to the Muslim majority and occur with minimal accountability or protection for the affected communities.