Christian pensioner, 74, is beaten and stoned to death by 400-strong lynch mob after he was accused of ‘burning pages of the Koran’ in Pakistan

An older Christian man inside Pakistan who was beaten and stoned by a crowd of 400 after being accused of burning pages from the Quran has reportedly died from his injuries.

Nazir Masih and his son were confronted by an angry mob at their home in the city of Sargodha, Punjab province, on May 25 after allegedly desecrating the holy book.

The blasphemy allegations against Masih, who was 74 years old, are believed to be false, and his family has denied the claims.

The factory owner and his son continued to come under attack, with attackers punching, kicking and hurling stones at them before setting fire to the family’s home and Masih’s factory.

Twelve members of Masih’s family managed to escape, while his son was beaten and the pensioner seriously injured before police arrived and managed to pull him away from the crowd.

Crowds of people near what is reportedly Nazir Masih’s house in Sargodha town, Punjab province, on May 25

Horrifying footage shows Masih surrounded by a surging crowd as a gaping wound on his head bleeds and he appears barely conscious

He was rushed to hospital in a critical condition and nine days after reports emerged that he succumbed to his injuries.

Gruesome footage shows Masih covered in dust and with a bleeding open head wound as people desperately try to help him.

Separate video of the incident shows crowds gathering on a residential street in the city, believed to be where Masih lived, with smoke rising in the background as fires are lit.

Police have registered cases against about 450 people under an anti-terrorism law, UCA News reports, with 25 people arrested in the attack on Masih.

Real estate agent Muhammad Jahangir has reportedly filed a police complaint, saying Masih has desecrated the Quran and “spread religious hatred by hurting the sentiments of Muslims and endangering peace in the area.”

Blasphemy is illegal in Pakistan and punishable by death, but suspects have in many cases been lynched before their cases could even go to trial.

Human rights activists have argued that police are not doing enough to prevent accusers from taking matters into their own hands.

The photo is believed to show Christian factory owner Nazir Masih, who reportedly lost his life after the brutal attack

Photos shared on X appear to show Masih receiving treatment after the attack on May 25

According to Father Khalid Rashid Asi, diocesan director of the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), Christians “are only involved in such incidents to settle personal scores and out of personal grudge.”

“The mob has no right to lynch anyone; there are the police and the justice system to provide justice for everyone.”

Christians have taken to the streets to protest the latest violence, with many reportedly leaving their areas for safety.

Reports emerged last week that Masih had died from his injuries, but these were later refuted by a family member.

The attack comes just nine months after riots broke out in the Punjab town of Jaranwala over rumors that another man and his son “disrespected” the Quran by posting photos of themselves in it.