CHRISTIAN APPEALS TO PRIME MINISTER AFTER PRESSURE TO CONVERT TO ISLAM

A Christian government worker in Sialkot, Pakistan has appealed to the country's Prime Minister, Chief Minister of Punjab, and senior officials for protection after facing repeated pressure to convert to Islam, followed by months of harassment and threats when he refused.

Michael Masih, who has served in the Punjab 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. The officer told him that a Christian boy in a nearby district had converted and was now seeking marriage.

Michael 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.

Following his rejection of conversion, Michael alleges he faced months of humiliation, threats, and physical mistreatment from the senior officer. Fearing for his safety and concerned that a false blasphemy allegation might be used against him, Michael has resigned from his position.

Michael has appealed to 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 by the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement, and support continues to be provided to Michael 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, according to CLAAS.

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.

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

"There is no law in Pakistan that clearly criminalizes 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."

Pakistan ranks eighth on Open Doors' 2025 World Watch List, which ranks the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution. Christians comprise approximately 1.8 percent of Pakistan's population of over 240 million people.

Christians in Pakistan face institutionalized discrimination including occupations that are deemed low, dirty and degrading such as working as sewer cleaners or on brick kilns being reserved for Christians by authorities. Muslims are encouraged not to accept Christian men into senior positions in the workplace.

Christians are disproportionately targeted by Pakistan's blasphemy laws, which carry a death sentence.

While Christians comprise only 1.8 percent of the population, approximately 25 percent of all blasphemy allegations are made against Christians.

Pakistan's Constitution guarantees protection of minority rights and ensures equality before law. However, non Muslims are barred from becoming President or Prime Minister. In 2019, a bill to amend these constitutional restrictions was blocked by Pakistan's parliament.

An estimated 1,000 Hindu and Christian girls are forced to convert to Islam annually in Pakistan, though human rights organizations believe the actual number is substantially higher.

THE CRUSADER'S OPINION

Fourteen years of faithful government service.

One conversation demanding conversion to Islam.

Months of harassment, threats, and physical mistreatment for refusing.

Then resignation and appeals to the Prime Minister for protection.

This is what it means to be a Christian in Pakistan.

Michael Masih's story is not unique.

It is the daily reality for millions of Pakistani Christians who face pressure to convert, threats for refusing, and systematic discrimination for remaining faithful to Christ.

Pakistan has no law criminalizing forced conversion attempts.

So Christians have no legal recourse when bosses, neighbors, or strangers demand they abandon their faith.

When Michael said no, he became a target.

The blasphemy laws hang over every Christian like a sword.

One false accusation and you are dead.

Either murdered by a mob or executed by the state.

So Michael resigned from his job after 14 years rather than risk a blasphemy charge from his hostile supervisor.

That is the choice Pakistani Christians face.

Convert, stay silent, or die.

Meanwhile, the international community does nothing.

Pakistan receives billions in foreign aid.

That aid should stop until forced conversion attempts are criminalized and blasphemy laws are repealed.

Christians should not have to choose between their faith and their safety.

But in Pakistan, that choice is made every single day.

TAKE ACTION

1. Pray for Michael Masih as he awaits response from Pakistani authorities regarding his appeals for protection. Pray for his safety, provision after resigning from his job, and for justice in his case against the senior officer who pressured him to convert to Islam.
2. Support the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) providing free legal aid, shelter, and financial support to victims of religious persecution in Pakistan. CLAAS is assisting Michael and thousands of other Pakistani Christians facing forced conversion pressure.
   • CLAAS UK: www.claasuk.org
   • Donate: info@claasuk.org
3. Contact your government representatives demanding Pakistan criminalize forced conversion attempts and reform blasphemy laws that are weaponized against Christians. Condition foreign aid on protecting religious freedom and prosecuting those who pressure minorities to convert.
4. Support Pakistani Christians through Open Doors providing emergency relief, legal assistance, and advocacy for the 1.8 percent Christian minority facing systematic persecution. Pakistan ranks 8th on the 2025 World Watch List for Christian persecution.
   • Open Doors: www.opendoors.org
5. Raise awareness about forced conversion in Pakistan where an estimated 1,000 Hindu and Christian girls are forced to convert to Islam annually. Share Michael Masih's story and educate churches about persecution Pakistani Christians face in workplaces, schools, and communities.
6. Pray for Pakistani government officials including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz to protect religious minorities, prosecute those pressuring Christians to convert, and reform laws enabling persecution. Pray for courage to stand against Islamist extremism.