Pakistan: Pressure to convert leaves Christian in fear for his life

Michael Masih image: CLAAS

Source: CLAAS

A Christian worker in Sialkot has alleged that he faced repeated pressure from a senior officer to convert to Islam, followed by months of humiliation, threats, and physical mistreatment when he refused. Fearing for his safety and concerned that a false blasphemy allegation might be used against him, the worker has now resigned and appealed to the country's top leadership for protection.

Michael Masih, who has served in the Bureau of Statistics for 14 years, says the harassment began when his senior officer called him into his office and encouraged him to embrace Islam, telling him that a Christian boy in a nearby district had converted and was now seeking marriage. Michael says he clearly stated that he wished to remain Christian, explaining that he was born into a Christian family and did not want to change his faith.

According to Michael, the officer became increasingly hostile after this refusal. He claims he was insulted publicly, mocked for his faith, and pressured again to convert. Michael alleges that during one incident he was physically assaulted before another staff member intervened.

He further states that the senior officer changed his name to "Shehzada", instructed staff to address him by that name, and stopped his family from calling him Michael. Michael also alleges that he was forced to perform personal domestic chores for the officer, including cleaning, washing the car, fetching water, buying groceries, and picking up his child from school-without payment. Despite working under him for four years, Michael says he was never compensated for additional labour.

Michael adds that he often received threatening calls late at night and fears that a false case could be used to target him. The pressure, humiliation, and escalating fear eventually led him to submit his resignation, though he believes it has not yet been forwarded to the Lahore head office.

Living in the same building as the officer has intensified his concern. He says the officer's family also stopped speaking to him after he refused to convert, and minor everyday matters became another means of harassment.

Michael has appealed to the Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, the Prime Minister, the Army Chief, and senior police officials to intervene, saying he no longer feels safe and needs urgent protection.

Authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the allegations. The matter is being closely monitored, and support continues to be provided to the affected worker as efforts move toward a peaceful and fair resolution of the case. The concerns raised about pressure to convert to Islam remain central to the complaint and require an impartial and transparent inquiry.

Nasir Saeed, Director of CLAAS-UK, expressed deep concern over the growing trend of intolerance in Pakistani society, particularly in Punjab. He said that incidents like these show how vulnerable religious minorities-especially Christians-have become in their workplaces and communities.

"Unfortunately, Pakistani society is becoming increasingly intolerant towards religious minorities, especially Christians. It is painful to see that pressuring someone to convert is still viewed by many as an acceptable or even virtuous act. Christian workers often feel the need to be extremely cautious because incidents like this could happen to anyone."

He added that Pakistan still lacks specific legislation to criminalise coercion, pressure, or attempts to change someone's faith, leaving minority communities without meaningful protection.

"There is no law in Pakistan that clearly criminalises attempts to pressure people into changing their religion. As a result, Christians face violations of their freedom of religion on a daily basis. This is a fundamental human right guaranteed by the Constitution and by international treaties Pakistan has signed, yet it remains widely ignored," Saeed said.

"Living under these conditions has become almost impossible for many Christians, despite the fact that our forefathers supported Quaid-e-Azam's vision for a country where all citizens, regardless of faith, would enjoy equal rights and freedom. Sadly, that promise remains unfulfilled for millions of Christians today."

Saeed urged the government to take urgent steps to protect minority citizens, introduce laws against forced or pressured religious conversion, and ensure workplaces remain free of discrimination and harassment.

LINK

Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS): www.claas.org.uk

Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) is an interdenominational organization working for Christians who are being persecuted because of their faith in Pakistan. CLAAS works for religious freedom, to stop persecution of Christians in Pakistan because of blasphemy and other discriminatory laws, raise awareness, disseminate information and highlight the plight of Christians on an international level. CLAAS provides free legal aid to victims of religious intolerance in Pakistan, as well as shelter and financial support for the victims and their families.