Lahore: A Catholic father of four was shot dead while on pilgrimage to the National Marian Shrine in Mariamabad, sparking outrage and renewed calls for greater protection of religious minorities in Pakistan.

The victim, 42-year-old Afzal Masih from St. Alphonsus Parish in Lahore, was traveling with a group of pilgrims on September 7 when the incident occurred along the Sheikhupura highway in Punjab Province. The group, which included women and children, was headed to Mariamabad for the annual Marian festival known as Mela Maqaddasa Mariam, an event that draws hundreds of thousands of faithful from across the country.

According to witnesses, the pilgrims’ van was harassed by young men on motorcycles who taunted female passengers and blocked the vehicle’s path. When Masih attempted to intervene, an argument broke out and he was physically assaulted. The group later stopped at a roadside station, where the attackers reappeared armed with weapons. One of them, identified as Muhammad Waqas from Farooqabad, opened fire with a rifle, striking Masih in the neck. He was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries. A 16-year-old cousin, Harris Masih, was also wounded in the arm. Police have since arrested Waqas, but reports suggest accomplices may still be at large.

The killing has raised alarm within Pakistan’s Christian community, which represents around 1.4 percent of the country’s 241 million population. Local church leaders and rights groups have condemned the attack as an example of the ongoing vulnerability of religious minorities. They are demanding that the case be properly investigated and prosecuted under anti-terrorism laws due to the use of an automatic weapon and the targeted nature of the assault.

Christian leaders stressed that the attack not only highlights the dangers faced by pilgrims but also reflects deeper issues of intolerance. Paul Jacob Bhatti, head of the Shahbaz Bhatti Mission Association, called for urgent reforms, particularly in the education sector, to counter extremist ideologies that fuel sectarian hatred.

The Mariamabad shrine, founded in the late 19th century and declared a national Marian shrine in 1949, has long been a symbol of unity for Christians in Pakistan. This year’s pilgrimage, meant to celebrate faith and devotion, was overshadowed by grief as thousands of worshippers mourned the loss of Masih and expressed fear for their safety.

The tragedy has renewed pressure on authorities to ensure the security of minority communities and provide justice for victims of violence. Afzal Masih is remembered by fellow parishioners as a devout father and courageous man who lost his life protecting the dignity of others.