A deeply troubling incident in Muridke, Sheikhupura, has brought attention to the growing concerns about the safety of religious minorities in Pakistan. On November 2, 2024, Muqaddas, a 14-year-old Christian girl and 9th-grade student at Pride School Muridke, was threatened at gunpoint by her Muslim neighbor, Suleman. He demanded that she convert to Islam and marry him. Terrified and shaken, Muqaddas confided in her parents, Pastor Aslam and Elizabeth, who confronted Suleman’s family. While his parents initially warned him against such actions, their intervention failed to stop the threats.

The situation took a more dangerous turn when Suleman, accompanied by four or five accomplices, stormed into Muqaddas’ home. The intruders broke down the door, vandalized the property, disconnected the electricity by pulling wires from the meter, and held the family hostage for four hours. During this time, they issued threats and physically intimidated Muqaddas, her younger sister, and their parents. The family, including Muqaddas and her sister Deya, both ninth-grade students, was left deeply traumatized.

Fearing for their lives, the family fled their home and now lives in hiding. Pastor Aslam, a retired government employee, expressed frustration over the lack of effective police action. He stated, “We are living in constant fear and cannot return home. Authorities must take notice of this case and ensure our safety.” Despite filing an FIR at the Muridke City Police Station, the family reports minimal progress in the case.

The incident has left Muqaddas in severe mental distress, while her parents, aged 63 and 53, continue to struggle with the emotional and financial toll of the situation. The family, with eight children, has appealed for justice and protection, emphasizing the urgent need for safety measures for minorities in the region.

Community leaders and activists have condemned the lack of governmental support for religious minorities and called for immediate reforms to protect vulnerable groups. They stress that such cases highlight systemic failures in addressing crimes against minorities and ensuring their safety.

The case is currently being heard in the Ferozewala Session Court, where the judge has instructed the police to submit a complete report in the next hearing. This incident has sparked widespread concerns about the rule of law and the treatment of religious minorities in Pakistan.

The family has made an urgent appeal to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Inspector General of Punjab Police, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to intervene and ensure justice is served. Activists urge authorities to take swift and decisive actions to prevent such egregious acts in the future, emphasizing the need for systemic reforms to protect Pakistan’s vulnerable communities.