Punjab🇵🇰’ Hafizabad, Qila Sahib Singh – April 14, 2025: A heartbreaking tragedy struck the Christian community in the Qila Sahib Singh area of Hafizabad on Sunday evening when poisoned sweets were distributed among children by unknown suspects. The incident has left three children dead and five others fighting for their lives in critical condition, sparking grief, outrage, and demands for justice.
According to eyewitnesses and initial police reports, at approximately 6:30 PM, individuals on rickshaws were seen handing out sweets to Christian children in the locality. Their suspicious behavior quickly alarmed residents, and the suspects fled towards Jalalpur Road before they could be apprehended.
Shortly after consuming the sweets, the children began showing signs of severe poisoning. Emergency services, including Rescue 1122, were called in to transport them to District Headquarters Hospital Hafizabad. Despite all efforts, Danish (10), David Shahzad (7), and Samson Irfan (8) tragically lost their lives.
The five surviving children — Atishna Shahbaz, Harry Tanzeem, Kailash Aamir, Shalom Irfan, and Shahroz Irfan — remain in critical condition and have been referred to the Children’s Hospital in Lahore for specialized treatment.
Following the incident, an FIR was registered on the complaint of Shahbaz Masih, a relative of the victims. Law enforcement authorities have initiated an investigation and launched a manhunt to identify and apprehend those responsible.
As news of the horrific attack spread, local residents and members of the Christian community gathered at the hospital, demanding swift justice and better protection for minorities in Pakistan. Azeem Kanwal Chauhan, Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Christian Union and a member of the Minority Advisory Council, condemned the attack in strong terms.
“This is not just an attack on innocent children — it is an attack on humanity and a chilling reminder of the vulnerability our communities still face. We urge authorities to take immediate action and ensure those behind this crime are brought to justice,” Chauhan stated.
The incident has reignited concerns over the safety and security of religious minorities in Pakistan, especially in smaller towns and rural areas where targeted violence often goes underreported.
This tragedy is a stark reminder that more must be done — not only to protect vulnerable communities, but also to promote tolerance, interfaith harmony, and justice across all segments of society.
For more updates and detailed coverage of this case and other issues affecting the Hindu and Sindhi communities in Sindh, Pakistan, stay tuned to Sindh Renaissance.
