Source: www.worthynews.com
Date: September 8, 2026
by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN (Worthy News) – A Christian family in Pakistan’s city of Rawalpindi lives in fear after their young daughter, Saba, was shot and killed by an Islamic extremist while other attackers abducted and tortured her teenage brother, according to sources familiar with the case.
New details emerging Friday indicated that Saba’s brother, believed to be around 16, was later released following Thursday’s attack.
Disturbing video footage shared with Worthy News by a witness appeared to capture several moments surrounding the family’s ordeal. A visibly distressed woman, identified as Saba’s mother, could be seen collapsed and crying on the ground. One person tried to help her to her feet while another apparently brought the woman a cup of water, with police watching nearby.
Other footage showed what sources described as Saba’s body covered by a blanket or cloth on a stretcher where several men had gathered, with her mother heard crying in the background.
MOTHER HEARD CRYING
A separate scene revealed uniformed Pakistani police officers and others inside what appeared to be an official building.
The incident reportedly occurred within the jurisdiction of Rawalpindi’s Ratta Amral Police Station in Punjab province, where the Christian family lived in a mainly Muslim area. Relatives said a group attempted to abduct Saba, who was believed to be around 20 years old.
One suspect was identified as Muhammad Adnan Butt, described by the family as an influential local man with a reputation for intimidation.
Relatives said Saba resisted being taken away by him and was dragged by her hair into the street, where she was physically assaulted and verbally abused.
SABA RESISTS ABDUCTION
When she continued to resist, Butt shot her in the forehead, killing the young woman at the scene, according to relatives.
The attackers then abducted her teenage brother before eventually releasing him after news of the case spread on social media.
He told police his captors had tried to force him to accept responsibility for his sister’s killing.
Fearing retaliation, the family initially removed Saba’s body from the area and attempted to bury her secretly at an undisclosed location, investigators told Worthy News.
FAMILY SEEKS ARRESTS
Other people became involved, however, and police were alerted. Worthy News did not publish the full names of the family members amid ongoing security concerns.
The family is now appealing to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the provincial government and senior police officials to ensure those responsible are arrested, Worthy News learned.
Sources indicated that the suspects were already wanted by Pakistan’s Crime Control Department (CCD). They had also been accused of opening fire on a police station.
Christian advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill, founder of Pakistan-based advocacy group LEAD Ministries, expressed concern for the family’s security.
FAMILY FEARS RETALIATION
“Poor and vulnerable Christian families often lack the resources and influence needed to pursue a case against powerful individuals,” Gill told Worthy News.
“When threats and intimidation are involved, families may feel that they have no choice but to withdraw or stop pursuing justice,” he added.
Christians in overwhelmingly Muslim Pakistan have long reported violence, discrimination, abductions, coerced conversions, bonded labor and misuse of Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws.
Pakistan ranks eighth on the 2026 World Watch List of 50 countries where Christians face the most severe persecution for their faith, according to Christian support group Open Doors.