By Kirollos Abdalla —
A Pakistani pastor was gunned down twice, succumbing to his wounds the second time on Dec. 6.
Pastor Kamran Salamat, 45, was first shot months ago in Rawalpindi, next to the capitol city of Islamabad. He was still on crutches when he relocated to Gujranwala to get out of the danger zone — or so he thought.
But the extremists who hated him in a dispute over church’s land in Rawalpindi apparently tracked him down 135 miles away in Gujranwala. He thought he was safe because in Gujranwala, the Christian community is bigger.
The second attack didn’t fail. A hailstorm of bullets tore through his abdomen, left ear and right wrist. His daughter, whom he was taking to college, fought off the attacker with one of his crutches and attempted to administer first aid to her father while paramedics arrived. He died in the hospital.
Police arrived shortly afterward, collected forensic material, and secured CCTV footage from nearby locations. A First Information Report was registered under Section 324 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Pastor Kamran Slamat’s daughter was able to identify the armed attacker, described as a man with a long beard. The investigation is ongoing, and Christians across Pakistan are demanding justice for Pastor Kamran Slamat and his family.
Pastor Salamat was a prominent figure, serving as chairman of the Pastor’s Alliance Islamabad and leading a network of pastors focused on evangelization and interfaith harmony. He was known for speaking out for Christians’ rights.
When he moved for his safety, he continued preaching and ministering as a pentecostal pastor.
His funeral occurred on Dec. 6 at Saint Paul Presbyterian Church in Gujranwala, where thousands of Christians gathered to pay their last respects and honor his life and service. Pastor Salamat is survived by his wife, Salmina Kamran, and his children, Numeer, Arina and Ariel.
Police collected evidence at the scene of the crime. Sadly crimes against Christians do not often result in convictions. The nation is by Constitution and Islamic Republic and follows the Qur’an assiduously — a fact that does not favor those officials who wish to bring Western ideals and true justice to Pakistan.
Killing of Christians increase as Christmas approaches.
“The brutal murder of Pastor Kamran is not just an isolated crime,” said Fr. Lazar Aslam to Radio Veritas Asia. “It is a targeted assassination that stands as a devastating testament to the escalating persecution and insecurity faced by Christian minorities across Pakistan.”
“It is very saddening to know that a Pastor is killed in Pakistan,” said Dr. Rizwan Shahid, Chairman of the National Peace Committee of Gujranwala District. “We strongly condemned this incident. Such incidents affect the image of Pakistan and damage the peace, harmony, brotherhood and social unity among the people of various faiths living in Pakistan.”
Human rights advocates asked international bodies to pressure the Pakistani government duly investigate the crime, make arrests and carry out court justice — as well as guarantee safety for all religious minorities in Pakistan.
Sources: Radio Veritas Asia, Persecution Org, Church Planting in Pakistan, others.
