A minor Christian boy of 4 years was sodomized by a Muslim man in Sargodha.
The culprit took the child to a nearby field of pearl millet where he sexually assaulted him.
The attacker fled the scene after watching the parents in the field.
The police have registered an FIR against the culprit.
On April 26th, around 8:30 pm, a minor Christian, Moosa Masih (4 yrs), was raped after being led by a Muslim pedophile to a nearby field of pearl millet in Chak 48 Shumali, Sargodha.
Moosa Masih went to a nearby shop in the village to buy biscuits for himself after his father returned home from work and gave him twenty rupees. The family started searching for him when he did not return home for quite a long time. Shehzad Masih, the father of Moosa Masih, along with his brother Irfan Michael, immediately arrived at the shop where Moosa went to buy some treats.
The shopkeeper informed them that Moosa was taken by Muhammad Shehroz who the boy’s family also knew. At the same time, other visitors at the shop told Shehzad Masih that Moosa was seen going with Shehroz toward the fields outside.
Shan Masih, aged 30 and the uncle of Moosa Masih, informed BACA, “Muhammad Shehroz bought two toffees and offered them to Moosa, despite his refusal. He then took him to nearby fields and sexually assaulted him.”
Additionally, he stated, “Muhammad Shehroz had previously sexually assaulted two other Christian children in the village, but the families of the victims did not take a stand against him.”
Shehzad Masih and Irfan Michael searched for Moosa Masih in the nearby fields. The search led Shan Masih to a field from where the cries of Moosa were coming. He reached the point and saw Muhammad Shehroz strangling his nephew.
Shan Masih elaborated, saying, “When we arrived at the scene, Shehroz was strangling Moosa. If we had been 10 minutes later, we could have lost our son.”
Muhammad Shehroz collected his clothes and fled from the scene, leaving Moosa Masih crying. Irfan Masih immediately picked up his nephew and went to the Cantt Police Station. The police have registered an FIR [First Information Report vide No. 348/24] against Muhammad Shehroz under charge 376 PPC [Pakistan Penal Code]. Muhammad Shehroz is currently evading law enforcement, and an All Points Bulletin (APB) has been issued as authorities endeavor to apprehend him.
The police advised Shan Masih to take Moosa to Dr. Faisal Masood Teaching Hospital Sargodha for a Medico Legal Certificate [MLC]. The MLC, issued on April 26th, confirmed the rape and injuries on the back and abdomen of Moosa. Muhammad Shehroz has been arrested by the police and sent to jail on judicial remand, as Shan Masih informed BACA.
Muhammad Shehroz comes from an influential Muslim family who are harassing and threatening Shan Masih and his brother, Shehzad Masih. Shan Masih reported that the culprits beat Asma Bibi (30 yrs), the mother of Moosa Masih, and Shehzad Masih for taking Moosa to the hospital and the police station. “They have challenged our family to a physical fight several times, but we are not responding,” Shan Masih stated.
BACA visited the family on May 3rd and is now providing spiritual and moral support to the family.
Shehzad Masih works as a mason and works hard to feed his large family, which comprises six children. Asma Bibi, the mother of Moosa Masih, is a housewife. She is very frightened after the attack on her tender child.
“This tragic narrative unveils the brutal assault on a child, an all too common occurrence in Pakistan. The disturbing frequency with which Christian children are targeted is especially troubling, given their small minority status in the country. The lamentable truth is that their marginalized status makes them incredibly vulnerable.
“Adding to this sorrowful reality is the fact that Christians often hold pariah status, further exacerbating their vulnerability. Unfortunately, the police and the courts frequently display reluctance in pursuing justice and often overlook reports of such crimes when Christians are the victims. This calls for profound introspection at the national level.
“We fervently hope and pray for Moosa’s mental recovery from this traumatic attack. Our organization is committed to offering unwavering support to the family during this exceedingly challenging time.”
