Pakistan: Two Christian farmers murdered by Islamists, “there are almost constant attacks against individuals”
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Two Christian farmers in Pakistan were recently murdered by Islamists who attacked them in separate incidents in January and February, respectively, Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) reports.
On January 11, guava farmer Allah Ditta was shot dead in front of his son after confronting three Muslim men who were stealing fruit from his orchard, VOM reports. A row broke out in which the men referred to Allah as a “chuhra,” a derogatory term for Christians. One of the men then pulled out a gun and shot Allah in the chest; he died before the ambulance arrived.
Allah’s son Shahbaz Masih said in a statement that the attackers jeered, saying there would be no justice for a Christian like his father. They also threatened to kill him and the rest of his family if he contacted the police, VOM said. While all three of the perpetrators were apprehended and charged by police, Allah’s family has expressed fear of revenge attacks.
Less than a month after Allah was murdered, Christian farm laborer Emmanuel Masih was killed by Muslim landowner Muhammad Waseem in Punjab’s Khanewal district, VOM said. Emmanuel was watering the orchard he worked when he was approached by Waseem and four other Muslim men, who accused him of stealing fruit. The Muslims beat Emmanuel, a married father of six, to death.
In a website statement about the difficulties facing Pakistani Christians, the Open Doors Christian advocacy organization said: “Christians in Pakistan are considered second-class citizens and face discrimination in every aspect of life. They lack proper representation in politics and … there are almost constant attacks against individuals.”
Islamic Pakistan ranks 7thon the US Open Doors World Watch List 2023 of the top 50 countries where it is most dangerous for Christians to live.
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