Christian Community in Hafizabad Devastated as Three Minority Children Die After Consuming Poisoned Sweets.
Hafizabad, Punjab – A devastating tragedy has struck the Christian community in Qila Sahib Singh, a minority-populated suburban area in Punjab’s Hafizabad district, where three young Christian children lost their lives and five others remain in critical condition after allegedly consuming poisoned sweets. The incident has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community, raising serious concerns about the safety and protection of marginalized groups.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed at the City Police Station Hafizabad, all eight children fell gravely ill after eating the sweets and were rushed to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital on Monday evening.
A statement from the DHQ Hospital confirmed that two children were pronounced dead upon arrival, one succumbed during treatment, and the remaining five were stabilized and later referred to Children’s Hospital Lahore by Rescue 1122. A team of government doctors accompanied the children for continued medical care.
The FIR, lodged by Shahbaz Masih—a member of the Christian community—was registered against unidentified individuals under Sections 302 (murder) and 337-J (administering poisonous substances) of the Pakistan Penal Code. The deceased have been identified as 10-year-old Danish, 7-year-old David Shehzad, and 8-year-old Samson. The other children in critical condition—Aatishna, Harry, Kailash, Shehroz, and Shalom—are between 6 and 12 years old, all from the Christian minority community residing in the same neighborhood.
The tragic loss has cast a pall of grief and fear over the Christian residents of Qila Sahib Singh, a community that has historically faced neglect and marginalization.
Hafizabad DPO Atif Nazir Kadhar visited the affected families to offer condolences and announced a full-scale investigation into the incident. “This is a deeply tragic and heartbreaking incident involving eight innocent children of the Christian community. The police are investigating from every angle to ensure justice is served,” DPO Kadhar told Dawn news. He also pledged that the culprits would be apprehended within 48 hours.
While the administration has promised justice, local Christian leaders and residents have called for swift and transparent action, fearing that the case may be ignored or delayed, as has occurred in past incidents affecting minority communities.
This latest tragedy has reignited urgent calls for greater protection and representation of religious minorities in Pakistan. Community members stress that incidents like these must not go unnoticed or be swept under the rug, and they demand that the government take serious measures to prevent such horrors from recurring.
“Crimson Weaver is more than a newspaper — it’s a movement in action. We invite our readers to connect with us if you wish to support or advocate for the families of victims. Your voice and involvement can make a real difference.”
