Christian Mother in Pakistan Alleges Police Obstruct Justice After Rape

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A Christian mother in Pakistan claims police are obstructing justice after she was gang-raped by three Muslim men in front of her young daughter. This article examines her struggle, the systemic challenges faced by religious minorities, and the broader implications for justice in Pakistan.

On June 11, 2025, Sheeza Intikhab, a 20-year-old Catholic from Chak No. 42 village, Sangla Hill, Nankana Sahib District, Punjab Province, endured a horrific gang-rape by Muhammad Mohsin, Zahid Gujjar, and Arsalan while her husband was at work. “I was busy looking after my daughter when, around 9 p.m., Mohsin and his two accomplices forced their way into my room and raped me in front of my child,” Intikhab told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. The assailants threatened to kill her family if she reported the crime, but her husband insisted on filing a First Information Report (FIR). However, police delayed registering the complaint and allegedly pressured her to withdraw it, highlighting a troubling pattern of institutional bias.

Safdar Chaudhry, chairman of Raah-e-Nijaat Ministry Pakistan and a member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), intervened after local pastors alerted him. He noted that the suspects, though in custody, have not been formally charged, likely due to their influence and bribes. “Sheeza’s case amplifies the barriers to justice for vulnerable Christian families,” Chaudhry said. The police’s reluctance underscores a systemic issue where religious minorities, particularly Christians in a 96 percent Muslim nation, face discrimination. Pakistan ranks eighth on Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List for persecution of Christians.

Intikhab’s trauma extends to her daughter, who witnessed the assault and remains deeply affected. “My child is traumatized and cries when I’m not near,” Intikhab shared, appealing to Punjab’s chief minister for justice. The case reflects a broader crisis, with reports indicating hundreds of Christian women face similar violence annually, often without recourse. This incident demands urgent reform to ensure equal protection under the law.

The Christian community’s fight for justice highlights the need for systemic change in Pakistan. Without accountability, such atrocities will persist, undermining the nation’s moral and legal fabric.