Sahiwal, Pakistan – April 8, 2025 – A targeted gun attack in Tehsil Sahiwal has reignited serious concerns over the safety of Faisal Riaz, a resident of Sargodha, whose family has been allegedly focus of violent persecution for more than a decade.
The attack allegedly occurred near the Dhool Bala Adda Bypass when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a vehicle carrying Riaz and his associate, Khalid Usman. Though the car sustained heavy bullet damage, both men escaped without injury.
According to local authorities, the shooting appears to be a continuation of a longstanding conflict rooted in sectarian and caste-based hostility. Police have launched an investigation and registered a case, but no arrests have been made.
The origins of the violence trace back to 2003, when Faisal’s older brother, Kamran Riaz, married outside of their caste and religious sect — a union that provoked outrage among close relatives. In 2011, Kamran was murdered at his home by gunmen posing as utility workers. The suspects were allegedly linked to a banned extremist outfit, and reportedly include three of Kamran’s cousins: Irfan, Nosherwan, and Lugman.
Tensions intensified in 2012 with the assassination of Nasrullah Warraich, a relative and legal counsel for the Riaz family, who was gunned down outside his home.
On February 19, 2012, Kamran’s wife and children were also attacked. His wife suffered severe burns to her left leg, while the children narrowly escaped death. This attack further demonstrated the calculated and retaliatory nature of the campaign being waged against the family.
In subsequent years, Faisal’s brother Ahmad Riaz survived two more assassination attempts in 2013 and 2014, further illustrating the persistent and targeted threat. The attack on Faisal in April 2025 marks yet another escalation in a pattern of sectarian violence that shows no sign of resolution.
Despite the frequency and severity of these attacks, Pakistani authorities have failed to apprehend the culprits or provide lasting protection. Law enforcement officials cite limited resources and the widespread influence of banned militant groups as key barriers to action.
For families like the Riaz family, this creates an environment where personal safety cannot be guaranteed.
The latest attempt on Faisal Riaz’s life further reinforces the reality that alleged sectarian hostility continues to pose a lethal threat, and survival under such conditions remains increasingly uncertain. With the attackers still at large and previous threats unprosecuted, the risk of further violence remains dangerously high.
As of this report, no arrests have been made in the April 8 shooting, and the investigation is ongoing.
