Faisalabad, Pakistan – June 2025

In a landmark victory for justice and minority rights, the Emergency Committee to Save the Persecuted and Enslaved (ECSPE) has successfully secured a life imprisonment verdict against the rapists of Atiya Bibi, a Christian woman who was brutally assaulted in a targeted attack nearly one year ago.

On August 10, 2024, Atiya Bibi and her husband, Naveed Maish, were ambushed by two armed men while returning home with their child and a young relative. After being robbed, the couple was asked about their faith. Upon confirming their Christian identity, the attackers abducted Atiya into a nearby sugarcane field and raped her at gunpoint—a horrific act of gender- and faith-based violence that shocked the local community.

Today, after nearly a year of persistent efforts, ECSPE is proud to announce that justice has been served. The Session Judge of Faisalabad has sentenced the identified rapists to life imprisonment, affirming the gravity of the crime and acknowledging the suffering inflicted on this persecuted Christian family.

This outcome would not have been possible without the tireless work of ECSPE’s team in Faisalabad, especially the leadership and coordination efforts on the ground. Special recognition goes to Advocate Faisal Waheed Chaudhary, whose legal expertise and unwavering commitment were instrumental in pursuing the case through every legal hurdle. From securing DNA testing and witness protection to presenting irrefutable evidence in court, Advocate Faisal Waheed Chaudhary ensured that the perpetrators faced the full force of the law.

“This verdict is more than just a legal victory—it is a message to every marginalized family that their cries for justice will not go unheard,” said an ECSPE spokesperson. “Our mission is to defend the voiceless, and today we see the fruit of perseverance, courage, and unity.”

Despite the many challenges—ranging from social stigma to systemic corruption—this case stands as a powerful example of what determined advocacy can achieve. It sets a precedent in Pakistan’s struggle against gender- and faith-based violence and renews hope for other victims seeking justice.

ECSPE remains committed to supporting the Christian community and all victims of persecution, and we will continue to fight for dignity, safety, and justice in even the darkest of circumstances.

Listen to the Testimony of Aitya and Her family: