Faisalabad, Pakistan: A brutal knife attack in Faisalabad has left a poor Christian family devastated after Imran Masih was killed and his two nephews were seriously injured.

Akash and Arbaz Masih survived the attack but have been left with life-changing injuries that prevent them from working.

BACA has provided emergency financial support for food and medicines, but both brothers now urgently need specialist surgery in Lahore.

The family is appealing for help with medical treatment and legal representation as they seek recovery and justice.

“This family has already suffered an unbearable loss: a husband, uncle and father figure was taken from them, while two young men were left carrying injuries that could change their lives forever. They should not have to choose between buying food and paying for the surgery that could save their future. BACA will stand beside this family, but we urgently need others to stand with us so that Akash and Arbaz are given the chance to recover.” — Juliet Chowdhry, BACA

A night of unimaginable violence

A poor Christian family in Faisalabad is facing an uncertain future after a devastating knife attack left one family member dead and two others seriously injured.

On 31 May 2026, 45-year-old Imran Masih, a Christian wall painter from Faisalabad, was allegedly attacked by his close Muslim friend, Muhammad Kashif.

According to the family’s account, Imran was stabbed several times with a sharp knife and died at the scene.

His nephews, 18-year-old Akash Masih and 24-year-old Arbaz Masih, were also severely injured when they tried to intervene and save their uncle.

What followed has left the family struggling not only with grief, but with serious medical problems, lost employment and an overwhelming financial burden.

Akash and Arbaz fought to save their uncle

According to the family, one of the knife wounds inflicted on Imran was to his abdomen, causing catastrophic injuries. Another wound severely damaged his right hand.

Arbaz, who was sleeping nearby, reportedly heard the commotion and rushed to help his uncle and brother.

He too became a target.

According to the family’s account, Arbaz was stabbed and his throat was slashed. Despite the severity of his injuries, he survived.

Both brothers were rushed to Allied Hospital Faisalabad, where they remained under treatment before eventually being discharged.

BACA’s team visited the brothers in hospital and provided financial assistance to help the family meet the immediate costs of medicines.

Recognising that neither young man would be able to return to work quickly, BACA also committed to providing £100 per month for six months to help with medicines, food and their recovery.

A family left without an income

On 7 August 2026, a BACA team returned to visit the family and assess the brothers’ recovery.

The team found that BACA’s financial assistance had helped the family meet basic needs during an extremely difficult period.

But the family’s situation remains desperate.

Tasneem Bibi, 55, the widowed mother of Akash and Arbaz, told BACA that her sons had lost their jobs following the attack and that the family had no other source of income.

“I am deeply thankful to the BACA for financial help. My sons have lost their jobs since the incident and we have no other source of income. It could have been extremely difficult for us to survive without the BACA’s financial support.”

Tasneem explained that her sons had spent more than a week in hospital and were discharged on 8 June 2026. Since then, both have remained largely bedridden and unable to return to work because of the disabilities caused by their injuries.

Arbaz has lost his voice

The attack has left Arbaz with serious damage to his throat and vocal area.

He now experiences coughing when speaking and can only speak in a very weak, quiet voice that is difficult for others to hear.

Before the attack, Arbaz worked in a clothing shop.

Now, he has lost his livelihood and faces an uncertain future.

Speaking to BACA, Arbaz said:

“In the morning when I wake up, the situation is worse. I cannot speak even in weak voice.”

Doctors have advised further treatment and surgery, with specialists at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Lahore being sought for a detailed assessment of his condition.

Arshad Masih, Kafia Bibi (Arshad’s wife), a local news reporter, Nasir Cheema ( a community leader and BACA officer outside the office of Deputy superintendent of police Pattoki

Akash faces permanent damage to his hand

Akash’s injuries are equally serious.

He was stabbed in the abdomen, causing his intestines to protrude from the wound. A separate knife wound to his wrist caused severe damage to the motor nerves in his right hand.

A medical report issued on 22 July 2026 by the Department of Neurology at Allied Hospital Faisalabad confirmed the absence of motor response in the right radial nerve and absence of response in the right ulnar and radial nerves, with delayed response in the median nerve.

Akash is currently unable to move his right arm from the elbow to his hand.

He told BACA:

“I cannot move my right hand and the doctors have advised surgery to prevent permanent disability of the hand.”

Doctors in Faisalabad have referred both brothers to CMH Lahore for specialist assessment and surgery.

The family desperately needs funds to travel to Lahore and obtain a clear specialist opinion on whether surgery can restore function, what procedures are required and how much the treatment will cost.

The family has been warned that delays could result in permanent damage, particularly to Akash’s hand and Arbaz’s voice.

Akash Masih showing his injuries

Urgent medical appeal

The estimated costs provided to the family are:

Akash Masih: approximately Rs. 700,000 (£1,870) for surgery to prevent permanent disability of his right hand.

Arbaz Masih: approximately Rs. 500,000 (£1,340) for surgery and treatment relating to his throat and vocal injuries.

Total medical requirement: approximately Rs. 1,200,000 (£3,210).

For a family that has already lost its main source of income, these amounts are impossible to raise without assistance.

Tasneem Bibi has appealed to BACA for help to obtain the surgeries her sons desperately need.

The family is also seeking justice for Imran

While the medical emergency continues, the family is also facing another difficult battle: seeking justice for Imran Masih.

Police have arrested Muhammad Kashif, who has been sent to jail in connection with Imran’s death.

However, the family’s financial circumstances mean that they cannot afford to hire a professional solicitor to represent them.

They have therefore asked BACA to help secure legal representation so that they can pursue the case.

The estimated cost of engaging a professional lawyer, including travel expenses and associated support, is approximately £2,000.

For this grieving family, justice and recovery are now inseparable. They need legal assistance to pursue accountability while simultaneously trying to save their sons from permanent disability.

BACA stands with the family

BACA has already stepped in to provide financial assistance for food and medicines, helping the family survive during the immediate aftermath of the attack.

But the needs are now far greater.

Akash needs urgent specialist treatment to give him the best possible chance of retaining the use of his right hand.

Arbaz needs specialist assessment and treatment for the damage to his throat and voice.

And the family needs legal representation to pursue justice for Imran.

This is a family that has endured profound trauma in a matter of months.

They have lost a loved one. Two young men have lost their ability to work. Their medical bills continue to grow, while their household has little or no income.

Akash Masih, Arbaz Masih, Yaqoob Masih (Father of deceased Imran and grand father of Akash and Arbaz), BACA officer and Farooq Masih (brother of Imran Masih)

A chance to rebuild their lives

For Akash and Arbaz, surgery is not simply about treating an old injury.

It is about their future.

Akash wants to regain the use of his hand.

Arbaz wants to be able to speak normally again.

Both want to return to work and regain some independence after an attack that has changed their lives.

Their mother wants what every parent would want: to see her sons recover and have the opportunity to rebuild their lives.