Fear and Persecution Grip Pakistan’s Christian Community After Deadly Peshawar Shooting

PESHAWAR: Fear and uncertainty continue to spread among Pakistan’s Christian minority following the tragic death of an 18-year-old Christian youth who succumbed to injuries sustained in a deadly shooting incident in Peshawar.

According to local residents, Silas, son of Ejaz and a resident of Father Colony in Peshawar, died on Wednesday after battling critical gunshot wounds for several days. The attack reportedly occurred when unidentified armed men opened fire on two Christian boys a few days earlier, leaving both seriously injured.

Silas remained under treatment following the attack, but his condition deteriorated due to the severity of his injuries. His death has deeply shaken the local Christian community, where many believe minorities continue to face increasing violence, harassment, and intimidation in different parts of Pakistan.

Residents of Father Colony described the incident as another painful example of the insecurity faced by Christians in the country. Community members expressed grief and anger, saying repeated attacks on minorities are often met with silence and an inadequate response from authorities and political leaders.

Pastor Imran Amanat, leader of LEAD Ministries, strongly condemned the killing and called the incident a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by Christians in Pakistan. He urged the government and law enforcement agencies to conduct a transparent investigation, arrest those responsible, and ensure justice for the victim’s family.

“Christians in Pakistan continue to live in fear. Violence, harassment, and discrimination against minorities must not be ignored,” Pastor Amanat said while expressing solidarity with the grieving family.

LEAD Ministries, led by Pastor Imran Amanat, is also calling for prayers for the victims and their families as part of its ongoing efforts to highlight systematic violence, harassment, and persecution against Christians in Pakistan. Although the organization does not have the financial resources to directly assist victims, it continues to document cases, advocate for justice, and support minority communities through church planting, women’s empowerment programs, and pastoral care initiatives.

Human rights activists have also voiced concern over the worsening situation, warning that continued inaction regarding attacks targeting minorities could deepen fear and insecurity among vulnerable communities. They emphasized the urgent need for accountability, stronger legal protections, and equal treatment for all citizens regardless of religion.

Community leaders have appealed to authorities to strengthen security measures in minority neighborhoods and ensure that religious minorities are protected under the law. They stressed that justice and equal protection are essential to restoring confidence among Pakistan’s Christian community.

The tragic death of Silas has once again highlighted the difficult realities faced by many Christians in Pakistan, where incidents of violence, social discrimination, and religious intolerance continue to raise alarm among human rights observers and minority advocates.

Foreign aid to Pakistan by the US has been reduced ro about $300 million annually while $2 billion in US aid for Pakistan’s military has ceased due to a combination of geopolitical shifts, security concerns, and economic instability.

Key reasons for the decline in U.S. aid include Security Concerns and Regional Policy concerns.

The United States has frequently reduced economic foreign aid ......and suspended military aid........ citing Pakistan’s failure to take action against militant groups, particularly following the 2011 killing of Osama bin Laden and in 2018 under the Trump administration. ——— NPR

Throughout the 1990s, the U.S. cut aid under the Pressler Amendment due to concerns over Pakistan developing nuclear weapons. Significant drops in foreign investment in 2025 were attributed to political instability and lack of “ease of doing business”. High debt payments and inflation have also damaged investor confidence. -——— Atlantic Council

The US has periodically suspended aid claiming Pakistan
was not doing enough to combat terrorism. -—— NPR

Pakistan’s economic woes, characterized by heavy reliance on imports and a struggle with foreign exchange reserves, have caused investors to hesitate.

Despite these factors, it is important to note that the U.S. has also provided record amounts of aid during humanitarian crises, such as the 2022 floods. -——— Council on Foreign Relations

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