Two Christians have been shot and killed in separate incidents in Gujranwala, Pakistan.
Suleman Iqbal, 25, was attacked on Sunday 29 December in what a Christian advocacy group described as “a case of religious discrimination”.
Suleman was ambushed by five men on motorbikes and shot in the stomach. His younger brother Dawood was also shot, but narrowly survived his injuries.
Both shootings took place in Gujranwala, in the Pakistani province of Punjab [Image credit: Tipoo Fawwad]
Suleman was rushed to hospital after the attack, but succumbed to his injuries on 1 January 2025.
A local church leader said that Suleman’s success in farming had made him a target.
For six months prior to the shooting Suleman had endured threats, harassment and attacks, including the destruction of crops, because of a dispute over land he had leased from the government.
“Suleman was a very gentle soul and a committed Christian,” said his father.
“He had gotten married some months ago, but the cruel criminals have turned his young wife into a widow and created a void in our life that will never be filled.”
Four of the five attackers have been arrested.
In another incident on 6 January, also in Gujranwala, a mother and daughter were shot in an unprovoked attack.
Shabana Bibi and her teenage daughter Misbah were returning home from work when they were approached and shot at by two men on a motorbike.
Shabana was killed instantly, while Misbah, who was shot in the back, was rushed to hospital. She remains in a critical condition.
A police investigation has been launched to identify and apprehend the assailants.
How you can pray
Ask the Lord to comfort the families of Suleman and Shabana in their grief. Pray that He will heal Misbah, and she will return to her family safe and well. Pray that the Lord will protect Christians in Pakistan who are at risk of persecution from Islamists, and preserve the faith of His people.
