News Desk
A Christian farming family in Toba Tek Singh, Pakistan, became victims of a violent assault amid a contentious land dispute. On April 16, 2024, a group of around 50 assailants, allegedly led by influential locals Khawar Ali and Baber Ali, launched an attack on the Yousaf family’s fields at Chak 694/36 GB. The assailants not only harvested the wheat but also inflicted severe physical injuries on the family members.
Shahnaz Yousaf, a member of the targeted family, recounted the horrifying incident, describing how the attackers armed with crop-harvesting machinery descended upon their fields in the early hours. While some assailants harvested wheat, others assaulted Shahnaz and her siblings, leaving them with broken limbs and noses. Mobile phones used to document the attack were also seized.
The Yousaf family’s connection to the land dates back to 1989 when Yousaf Nawaz Masih, the father of Ashraf Masih, was allocated 77 canals of barren land under a government scheme. Despite investing significant effort and resources into transforming the land into productive farmland, they faced opposition from Khawar Ali and Baber Ali, who allegedly orchestrated the attack with possible police involvement.
Ashraf Masih shared a discouraging experience at the local police station, where their grievances were dismissed by the officer on duty. Despite possessing legal entitlements, the family faced a history of land grabs orchestrated by influential locals and reportedly aided by the police.
The family’s medical situation exacerbates their plight, with difficulties in obtaining medical reports from the local hospital raising concerns about potential tampering. Financially strained from the loss of crops and ongoing medical expenses, the family is left in a precarious situation, with little assistance from local authorities.
The conflict escalated earlier in the year when Khawar Ali allegedly kidnapped Shahnaz Yousaf just days before the February 2024 elections, attempting to pressure the family into relinquishing their land claims. Although Shahnaz was returned following interventions by local leaders, the threat to their safety and rights persists.
Currently, the family’s legal battle is ongoing, with their case under consideration in the high court. Despite possessing a court order acknowledging their right to cultivate the land, local police reportedly continue to ignore this mandate.
The Yousaf family urgently appeals for support from the Christian community and government officials, including the Chief Minister of Punjab, to address their grievances and ensure the return of their land and crops. This case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by minority communities in rural Pakistan, where legal rights are often overshadowed by power and corruption.