Pakistan: A Christian farm worker was brutally assaulted by his Muslim landlords in Sheikhupura, suffering severe injuries, including a broken arm and trauma throughout his body. The police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) in response to the incident. However, the culprits have secured pre-arrest bail from the court, raising concerns about justice in this case.

On 16th September, a Christian farm worker named Imran Masih, 39, was brutally beaten by Muslim landlords in the village of Malowala, Sheikhupura. The enraged landlords left him wounded in the fields and later returned to his residence to inflict further harm. The police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the influential landlord and his accomplices, but none have been arrested as of yet. The culprits have secured pre-arrest bail from the court, leaving Imran Masih waiting for justice after suffering this brutal attack without any wrongdoing on his part.

On 25th September, the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) team visited Imran Masih to express their solidarity. During their visit, he recounted the details of the tragic incident. On that fateful day, unaware of the impending terror, he was diligently working to dig and clean ditches in the field of a local Muslim landlord named Rana Asghar. The violence erupted around 4:00 PM when another landlord, Rana Kashif, arrived and ordered him to stop working in Rana Asghar’s field.

“Stop working here. Clean the ditches in my fields first,” commanded Rana Kashif. The poor farm worker, Imran Masih, replied honestly that he had an agreement with Rana Asghar and would work in Rana Kashif’s fields afterward. This truthful response only served to enrage Rana Kashif, who began to verbally abuse him.

“You filthy Chuhra! How dare you refuse me?” he shouted.

Imran, innocently pleading for Rana Asghar to intervene, only fueled Rana Asghar’s anger. He began to beat Imran Masih, calling for his brother, Rana Muhammad Irfan, and their accomplice, Muhammad Akbar, to join in the assault. They arrived and mercilessly attacked Imran Masih.

“I begged them to forgive me, but they continued to beat me with kicks, punches, and sticks,” Imran recounted to BACA. “They broke my arm and left multiple bruises on my body.”

In a desperate attempt to escape, he ran away, but Muhammad Kashif threw a grab hoe, striking him on the shoulder and causing him to fall. “They beat me until I was nearly unconscious, and then they fled from the scene of the crime,” Imran added.

Imran’s family and neighbours rushed to the fields to pick him up and bring him home. However, the culprits followed him to outside his house, continuing to threaten him against taking any action. Nasreen Bibi, 35, pleaded with them to leave her husband alone, but the assailants responded by slapping her and tearing her clothes. The loud disturbance attracted a large crowd; while many simply watched, some members of the Christian community attempted to intervene and stop the violence. The culprits finally retreated only after someone in the crowd called the police using the emergency helpline at 15.

The Bhikki police arrived promptly and recorded statements from Imran Masih and his neighbors. They registered a First Information Report (FIR) [No. 2827/24] under Section 354 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Despite the serious nature of the incident, the culprits have obtained pre-arrest bail from the courts in Sheikhupura.

Imran Masih is the sole breadwinner for his large family, which includes his 70-year-old mother, Amanat Bibi, his wife, Nasreen Bibi, and their three children: Sehar Bibi, 16, Asash Masih, 14, and their youngest daughter, Minahal Bibi, 9. They live in a rented house in the village, and Imran earns a meager Rs. 1,500 (£4) for a full day’s labor in the fields of local landlords. Despite the hardship, he works tirelessly to feed his family and provide for his children’s education, determined to ensure they have a better future than his own.

“It has been more than a week since I last worked, and my family is near starving,” Imran told BACA, expressing his desperation.

 Imran Masih has sought legal assistance from the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) to pursue justice for the brutal beatings he endured at the hands of his assailants. In addition, BACA has taken the time to meet with his mother, Amanat Bibi, providing her with comfort and financial support to help cover grocery expenses during this difficult time.

The estimated costs for legal representation are approximately £1,000. Your generous contributions can make a significant difference in ensuring that Imran receives the justice he deserves. Please consider donating (here).

Amanat Bibi expressed her gratitude to BACA, saying, “I am thankful to God for saving my son’s life. I want justice for my son, who has been beaten mercilessly.”

Juliet Chowdhry, a Trustee for British Asan Christian Association expressed her horror at the attack, stating, “The use of the derogatory term chuhra, specifically aimed at Christians underscores the xenophobic nature of this assault, rooted in deep-seated hatred. We must fight and win cases like this to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. Only then can we deter such heinous acts and encourage a society where individuals think twice before committing such crimes against innocent people.”

Juliet emphasized that standing against such violence is not only about seeking justice for the victims but also about fostering an environment of tolerance and respect for all communities. By holding offenders accountable, we send a clear message that hatred and violence will not be tolerated.