Vehari, Punjab — A months-long struggle for basic recognition has finally ended for Abdullah Masih, a Christian resident of Vehari, whose official identity was wrongly altered by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), leaving his life and family in crisis.

Abdullah, a father of three, first discovered the problem when his salary was withheld after his CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) expired. When he went to renew it, NADRA officials told him that his data could not be updated because the religion field in his record had been mistakenly changed from “Christian” to “Muslim.”

The error — which Abdullah insists was not caused by him — had far-reaching consequences. Without a valid CNIC, he was unable to withdraw his salary, access his bank account, or complete routine legal and financial transactions.

But the damage went further. His daughter was denied admission to a local college after her father’s documentation showed a religion mismatch. His eldest son lost out on a job opportunity when potential employers refused to proceed with hiring due to inconsistencies in family records.

It was during this painful period that Abdullah reached out to us for help. Although our team is based in Lahore — a journey of about five to six hours one way — we travelled to Vehari to meet him, knowing the importance of hearing his story in person. The long trip was worth every moment. Sitting in his modest home, Abdullah described his suffering with tears in his eyes. His daughter also joined the conversation, recalling how she had been turned away from the college admissions office and made to feel humiliated because of the family’s incorrect records.

Recognising the urgency of his case, we not only provided moral and financial support but also arranged for a local lawyer to represent him in court and pursue the matter directly with NADRA officials. During this time, Abdullah’s household faced severe financial strain. With no salary coming in and no alternative source of income, the family struggled to pay for essentials such as food, utilities, and school expenses.

After repeated visits to NADRA offices and persistent legal follow-ups, his case was finally resolved on 8 August 2025. Officials confirmed that the religion entry had been corrected and his CNIC renewed with his proper Christian identity. Abdullah and his family were overjoyed, expressing deep gratitude that, with the support and prayers of well-wishers — and especially our team, who stood with them and supported them during their difficult times, which they said they will remember forever — their long ordeal had come to an end.

Our team continues to engage with NADRA and has called for the authority to launch a special verification campaign for minorities, promptly correct religious identity errors, and train staff to handle such cases with urgency and sensitivity.