Islamabad, Jan 30 (NationPress) A prominent minority rights organization has raised alarms over a violent assault on a Christian individual in Pakistan's Punjab province, highlighting the persistent threats and struggles faced by religious minorities across the nation.

According to the Voice of Pakistan Minority (VOPM), Zahid Masih, a Christian worker serving as a bonded labourer and security guard in Bahawalpur, was assaulted on January 21 by a colleague named Muhammad Ali Azhar.

The rights organization reported that the conflict intensified after Azhar continually directed derogatory remarks at Masih. When Masih confronted the abuse, Azhar allegedly doused him with petrol and ignited it.

The assailant’s intent was reportedly to incinerate Masih, but prompt action from members of the Christian community prevented further injury.

“During the incident, the assailant purportedly made hateful remarks aimed at Masih’s Christian faith, asserting religious dominance. This appalling attack, which has left Masih with physical injuries and significant psychological distress, has reverberated throughout the Christian community in Pakistan,” stated the VOPM.

Highlighting the troubling frequency of discrimination and violence faced by Christian workers in Pakistan, who frequently experience harassment due to their religious affiliation, the rights organization commented, "Zahid Masih’s harrowing ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerable status of religious minorities, especially in labor-intensive jobs where they are prone to exploitation and mistreatment."

Numerous human rights organizations have denounced the assault and urged for more robust legal measures to safeguard minority communities, while legal experts stress the necessity for institutional reforms to ensure justice for victims and combat religious intolerance in Pakistan.

The VOPM revealed that Masih is presently receiving medical care for his injuries, with his psychological recovery anticipated to be a lengthy process.

“This incident underscores the deficiencies in current legal protections and calls for broader societal and cultural transformations to address intolerance and discrimination. The attack on Zahid Masih is a solemn reminder of the entrenched challenges confronting religious minorities in Pakistan, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to protect vulnerable communities and uphold the fundamental rights to life, liberty, and religious freedom for all citizens, irrespective of their faith,” it concluded.