by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
GUJRANWALA, PAKISTAN (Worthy News) – An 11-year-old Christian girl was abducted and killed by her Muslim neighbor in the Pakistani city of Gujranwala, the latest in a series of attacks targeting members of the country’s Christian minority, investigators told Worthy News on Tuesday.
Maryam was carefully placed in what appeared to be a body bag, her eyes closed, according to footage obtained by Worthy News.
Following Friday’s discovery of her body, police reportedly shot and killed the suspect during an encounter. Authorities had not officially confirmed the circumstances surrounding his death as of Tuesday.
Christians told Worthy News that Maryam, who was abducted late last week, had been “a girl full of life,” adding that it remained unclear why the suspect allegedly targeted her.
Worthy News did not identify the family due to security concerns. The news agency generally does not fully name victims of sexual abuse or related domestic violence unless they choose to go public voluntarily.
PARENTS IN SHOCK
In a video message sent to Worthy News, her visibly distraught parents said the suspect “had stabbed” their daughter and forced cloth into her mouth.
Her mother, placing her hand around her neck, indicated that her daughter’s throat had been cut.
“This tragic incident has left the community shocked and grieving, highlighting the urgent need for the protection of children and to end violence against Christians,” said Sardar Mushtaq Gill, founder of advocacy group LEAD Ministries, which has been closely following the case.
“LEAD Ministries strongly condemns this act of violence,” he added.
Gill said his organization has urged authorities to crack down on what he described as increasing attacks against Christians and “calls on society and authorities to ensure the safety of all children,” including Christian minors.
PATTERN OF ABDUCTIONS
Aid organizations say Maryam’s killing comes amid broader concerns about the safety of minority children in Pakistan. Numerous children — many of them Christians and other religious minorities — have reportedly been abducted in recent years. Advocacy groups say victims often endure violence, sexual abuse, forced marriage, and coerced conversion to Islam.
Human rights monitors estimate that hundreds of Christian and Hindu girls are forced into marriage and religious conversion each year in Pakistan, an overwhelmingly Muslim nation, though precise figures are difficult to verify due to underreporting and intimidation of families.
According to Open Doors, a Christian advocacy organization that monitors persecution worldwide, Pakistan ranks among the most difficult places to be a Christian. In its latest World Watch List, Pakistan was ranked 7th globally for Christian persecution.
Open Doors has cited blasphemy laws, forced conversions, abductions of girls, and mob violence as persistent threats facing the country’s estimated four million Christians.
As Maryam’s family mourns, local Christians say they fear the case could fade without meaningful legal and societal reforms.
Authorities have not announced further details about the investigation.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect at midnight local time after being announced by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, though skepticism remained over whether the truce would hold.
Péter Magyar, Hungary’s incoming prime minister, has reached out to the Jewish community and invited Israel’s government leader to Budapest despite an arrest warrant against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
A renewed effort is underway in the U.S. House of Representatives to expunge the first impeachment of Donald Trump, following newly declassified information tied to the 2019 Ukraine whistleblower complaint.
Iran has announced the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz following a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, prompting a strong response from global markets and cautious optimism from world leaders.
The United States and Iran are considering a two-week extension of their ceasefire to allow more time for negotiations on a broader peace deal, easing immediate fears of renewed fighting despite an intensifying standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, officials said, prompting a global stock rally.
Christian workers in India fear proposed legislation will accelerate a government crackdown on foreign-funded mission groups, especially those supporting Dalits, viewed as “outcasts” in the country’s ancient Hindu social hierarchy.
Turkey plunged into mourning Thursday as funerals were held for nine people killed when a 14-year-old opened fire at a school, one of the deadliest such shootings in the nation’s recent history.