Pastor, family attacked after roadside incident

KILA SARDAR SHAH, Pakistan — In a growing culture of violence, a traffic incident in Punjab province in June led to Muslim assailants later mounting an attack on the home of a Christian pastor the Muslims have increasingly resented for his evangelism and justice ministries. The attackers threatened more violence if the pastor does not drop assault charges.

A few of the 17 assailants struck the mother and sister-in-law of Pastor Riaz Masih with rifle butts after the pastor’s brother, who lives at the same multifamily complex as Masih in Kila Sardar Shah, Sheikhupura district, complained June 1 to a local councilor after the official nearly struck Masih’s nephews with his car.

Christian leaders said the roadside incident was only the fuse igniting hostilities that have grown due to meetings held by Christ for All Nations Ministries (CANM). The meetings have attracted many youth, including some Muslims.

Masih is national coordinator of CANM, a self-supported church-planting ministry. CANM Chairman and Founder Saqib Munawar said a growing culture of violence means minor incidents more easily erupt into attacks.

“Hostilities against Christians are on the rise,” Munawar said. “Extremism, which has flourished in the last few decades, is now creating problems for all Pakistanis. This attitude has promoted violence in the country.”