POC 03 Aslam Shoukat Masih Family
The Blasphemy Trap
Our family:
- Shoukat Masih — April 7, 1960 — Grandfather
- Aslam Shoukat Masih – March 16, 1988 – Father
- Saima Aslam – November 3, 1993 – Mother
- Michael Masih – April 4, 2013 – Son
- Anser Masih – October 10, 2015 – Son
- Eman Aslam – February 24, 2019 – Daughter
- Samar Bhatti – March 21, 2020 – Son
Arrived as refugees in Bangkok: January 9, 2025
Refugee Status: “Refused” by UNHCR
Details on gaining Refugee Status is here.
One man’s fight to save his family from Pakistan’s blasphemy laws
Aslam Shoukat Masih, a Christian from Lahore, Pakistan, recounts his family’s life and the persecution they endured due to blasphemy accusations. Born into a Christian family, Aslam worked in various roles, including as a bread packer and later in tele-sales and customer support at Skillsets Online Corporation. His dedication earned him promotions, but his workplace became hostile after the hiring of two members of Tahreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), an extremist Islamic group.
The situation escalated in December 2023 when a Muslim coworker, Hafiz Sami, publicly accused Aslam of blasphemy during a religious debate about Jesus. Despite attempts to defuse the tension, Aslam faced increasing hostility from his colleagues, including Syed Obaid, the IT director. By August 2024, the threats turned violent when TLP members issued a fatwa against him, and a mob surrounded his home, forcing his family into hiding.
Fearing for their lives, Aslam and his family fled to a relative’s home and began the process of securing visas for Thailand. After months in hiding, they obtained the necessary documents and left Pakistan on January 9, 2025. The ordeal highlights the dangers faced by religious minorities in Pakistan, where blasphemy accusations can lead to mob violence and state inaction.
Aslam’s story underscores the impossible choice many Pakistani Christians face: abandon their homeland or live under constant threat. His family’s escape reflects the broader struggle for survival and religious freedom in a country where extremist ideologies often override justice and humanity.
More information…
Aslam Shoukat — Detailed Statement
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First published: 2025/08/01/
Latest revision: 2025/09/11/