Today, every Christian in Pakistan is grappling with a poignant question, “Am I also a Pakistani?”
The wounds of the Christians from Jaranwala were still bleeding when another tragic incident unfolded, targeting Pakistani Christians in Sargodha. On May 25, 2024, Lazar Masih, a Christian factory owner, and his family faced a violent assault by a mob in the Mujahid Colony. Fueled by false allegations of Quran desecration, the mob ruthlessly attacked Masih and set fire to his property, while bystanders, including children, joined in the chaos, recording the events on their phones.
Ayub Gondal, Masih’s jealous neighbor, was identified as the instigator of the violence, exploiting existing tensions to sow communal discord. By falsely accusing Masih of blasphemy, Gondal incited the mob’s rage, resulting in the destruction of Masih’s home and factory. Despite Masih’s innocence, the mob continued its rampage. However, subsequent investigations revealed the falsehood of the accusations, confirming that no Quran pages were involved. Instead, Masih’s family was innocently disposing of waste materials, underscoring the dangerous consequences of unfounded allegations in fueling violence against religious minorities.
Since the creation of Pakistan, we have seen numerous instances where Christians have been unjustly targeted, falsely accused of blasphemy, and subsequently proven innocent. This raises the question: why do such false accusations continue to occur? Despite these past incidents, no action has ever been taken against anyone, leading to the recurrence of such events time and again. So, are Christians not part of Pakistan? Are Christians not Pakistani citizens? Is there no one to wipe away their tears? Is there no one to deliver them justice? The voice of every Pakistani Christian echoes, asking, “Am I also Pakistani?”
Seemab Asif
Seemab Asif is a distinguished educationist renowned for her extensive experience with national and international organizations. She holds Master's degrees in International Relations, Economics, and Education, each earned with top honors. In 2024, she was honored with the Best Female Educationist national award. A prominent figure in Pakistan's Christian community, Asif is celebrated as one of the 100 accomplished Christians in Pakistan.
Seemab Asif, with her extensive and distinguished experience in academia, is now making impactful contributions in the USA as an educationist affiliated with Chesterbrook Academy.
Asif served as a master trainer for the Sindh Police, having authored 14 training manuals and excelling in the 2020 UN SAAT Examination. She was a dedicated faculty member at St. Patrick's College, Karachi. Her active involvement in various organizations has garnered numerous awards, recognizing her significant contributions to education and women's empowerment.
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