Pastor Siddique stated: “I had just returned home from my church and was resting when unidentified motorcyclists opened fire outside my house.”

He then called the police right away and officers attended within 25 minutes. At the same time, Christian worshippers started to arrive for the planned Christmas celebration.

Pastor Siddique recalled the incident: “I was briefing the policemen about the firing incident when, all of a sudden, youths riding motorcycles came there and opened indiscriminate fire on us. Unfortunately, three people – my uncle, driver and a church member – received bullet injuries on the arm, stomach, and leg. We were able to catch one attacker while the others fled on foot, leaving behind five motorcycles. I believed that this country was safe for us, but now I’m forced to admit that it isn’t safe to be a Christian in Pakistan. I’ve always preached peace and tolerance, but this unprovoked attack has shown that extremist elements do not want a peaceful society.”

Pastor Siddique’s uncle Arif Masih and driver Adnan Pervaiz suffered minor injuries and could return home, but the third Christian man, Akash Patras, had severe abdominal injuries and his condition is unstable. 

Nasir Jameel, the pastor’s neighbour and a member of his house church, stated: “Pastor Siddique was leading a rally comprising church members including young girls and women on Dec. 24 when a group of local Muslims riding a car started misbehaving with the participants. Pastor Siddique and other elders confronted the Muslims and told them not to tease the congregants. This must have stoked anger in the Muslims and led them to plan the attack.”

Police have arrested five suspects and are on the hunt for other perpetrators. Shehrbano Naqvi – assistant superintendent of Police Defense Circle – ensured locals that the police are doing everything they can to catch and convict the assailants: “We will ensure that all those involved in this incident will be arrested and punished. We have also deployed police security in the area to protect the Christian residents.”

Joseph Jansen of rights group Voice for Justice expressed his deep concerns over the attack: “This act of violence, driven by religious hatred, highlights a grave issue of intolerance and discrimination. The government of Pakistan must act decisively to hold accountable those inciting such hatred and attacking individuals and places of worship. Inaction against perpetrators has allowed extremist forces to thrive unchecked, further exacerbating the threat to vulnerable communities. Pakistan’s failure to safeguard minority rights and prevent religious based violence also undermines its international commitments.”

Source: https://www.christiantoday.com