Two Christians Shot Dead While Playing Cricket In Pakistan

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

ISLAMABAD (Worthy News) – A leading Christian advocate has urged greater protection for religious minorities in Pakistan after two young Christian men were shot dead while playing cricket in the country’s southwestern Balochistan province.

Sardar Mushtaq Gill, founder of advocacy group LEAD Ministries Pakistan, told Worthy News that Ayush Masih, 21, and Domnik Masih, 24, were deliberately killed Wednesday in the town of Mastung by suspected gunmen. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but Islamic gunmen have been targeting Christians.

Gill expressed concern over “the security challenges facing Balochistan,” where “political instability and targeted attacks have remained persistent issues.”

The victims were reportedly attacked in the Shams Abad area, about four kilometers (2.5 miles) from a Christian neighborhood in Mastung district, roughly 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of the provincial capital, Quetta.

Police launched an investigation, but no group immediately claimed responsibility. Balochistan has long been plagued by insurgent violence, including attacks by Islamist militant groups, as well as separatist insurgents targeting security forces and civilians.

CHRISTIAN LEADERS DEMAND JUSTICE

Pastor Imran Amanat, head of LEAD Ministries Pakistan, strongly condemned the killings and urged authorities to conduct “a transparent, impartial, and effective” investigation to ensure justice for the victims and their families.

“The tragic loss of these young Christian men is a painful reminder of the challenges faced by Christian communities,” Amanat told Worthy News. “Their families deserve justice, and those responsible for this violence must be brought before the law.”

Gill said Pakistan’s government and security forces continue to face “significant challenges” in countering terrorism and protecting vulnerable communities. He called for “stronger security measures,” “effective law enforcement,” and coordinated efforts to ensure the safety of all citizens regardless of their faith.

Gill added that lasting peace, stability, and equal protection under the law are essential if religious minorities are to live without fear.

MINORITY SAFETY UNDER SCRUTINY

The killings came amid renewed concerns over the security of Pakistan’s Christian minority. In Karachi’s Baldia Town, police and paramilitary Rangers were recently deployed after an alleged blasphemy accusation sparked fears of mob violence against Christians.

Rights advocates have also voiced concern over a separate reported arson attack in Punjab’s Pattoki area, where a Christian family’s home was allegedly set on fire following a dispute over the alleged theft of a church battery. No injuries were reported, but the attack renewed fears over the safety of vulnerable Christian families.

Christian leaders have urged authorities to investigate both incidents thoroughly, bring those responsible to justice, and strengthen protections for religious minorities to prevent further violence.

Pakistan, an overwhelmingly Muslim nation of more than 240 million people, has faced repeated criticism from human rights organizations over violence, discrimination, forced conversions, and the misuse of blasphemy laws against Christians and other religious minorities.

According to advocacy group Open Doors, Pakistan ranks among the world’s most difficult places to be a Christian. Christians in Pakistan continue to face deadly attacks, false blasphemy accusations, imprisonment, discrimination, forced conversions, and assaults on churches and homes because of their faith, according to advocacy groups monitoring religious persecution.

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