On June 6th, Waqas Masih, an 18-year-old Christian, met a tragic end at the hands of his employer, Haji Saleem, along with his son Umer Saleem and their associates at a factory in Islam Pura, Lahore. Waqas was forcefully taken to the factory where he was subjected to brutal beatings, which ultimately led to his death. The alleged motive behind this violence stemmed from accusations of theft.
In March 2024, Waqas had taken up packing work at a factory near his residence, earning Rs. 15,000 (£42) per month for a nine-hour daily shift, 6 times a week. However, he frequently confided in his mother about the insufficiency of his wages. On June 4th, just two days prior to the fatal incident, Waqas made the decision to quit his job due to these financial concerns, and began seeking better employment opportunities.
“He was very responsible and my breadwinner,” recounted Rubina Bibi (50 yrs), the grieving mother of Waqas Masih. She continued, expressing the financial challenges they faced, stating, “The pay was insufficient to meet our daily needs. Sometimes we had to sleep without food.”
On June 6th around 2:00 pm, Rubina Bibi and Salamat Masih (55 yrs) were informed by members of the community that Waqas had been forcibly taken to the factory by the owner and his associates. They immediately rushed to the factory to investigate. Upon arrival, they questioned workers Muhammad Shani and Bilal about Waqas’s whereabouts. To their dismay, they were falsely informed that Waqas had escaped from the factory. When pressed about why Waqas was taken, they alleged he had stolen materials from the factory. Despite Rubina’s pleas for her son’s safety and her request to speak with the factory owner, they were told to return later as the owner had already departed for home.
Ilyas Masih (13 yrs) recounted to BACA the harrowing ordeal his brother, Waqas Masih, endured at the hands of Muhammad Shani and his accomplices. He described how they falsely misled their mother, Rubina Bibi, while inside the factory, where Waqas was being mercilessly beaten and confined.
“The culprits tied my brother and beat him with plastic rods,” Iliyas disclosed. “They also subjected him to electric shocks by dipping him in electrified water.” He went on to detail how he was locked in a separate room during these brutal acts, only being released intermittently to clean up after his brother, who was left incapacitated.
Upon discovering the horrific scene, Rubina Bibi recounted her heart-wrenching reaction to BACA: “We both rushed to the factory and found my son lying on the floor with his eyes open.” Overcome with grief and anguish, she confronted the factory owner, telling him, “You have killed my son.” In the face of her sorrow, the factory owner hastily fled from the premises.
The tragic loss of Waqas Masih has left Rubina Bibi devastated, mourning the untimely death of her young son, whose life was taken in such a cruel and unjust manner.
Upon hearing the distressed cries of Rubina Bibi, neighbors swiftly gathered around the tragic scene. The community’s prompt action led to a call to the Police Emergency Help Line (15), prompting the arrival of the Islampura police. They intervened immediately and dispatched Waqas Masih’s body to MAYO Hospital Lahore for a thorough post-mortem examination. Medical professionals confirmed the severe extent of physical violence, noting fractures in nine different areas of his body.
In response to this heinous crime, the police initiated legal proceedings by filing an FIR (First Information Report) under sections 302 (murder) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code. Muhammad Shani was apprehended, though Muhammad Shehzad and Bilal Hussain remain at large. Shockingly, the factory owner, Muhammad Saleem, and his son, Umer Saleem, were granted pre-arrest bails by the court, evoking further outrage and frustration.
Waqas Masih was laid to rest in a local graveyard on June 7th, as the community mourned the loss of a promising young life. The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) extended their support by visiting the family on June 8th, offering solace to Rubina Bibi and Salamat Masih during this incredibly difficult time.
The family’s circumstances are indeed dire and heartbreaking. Rubina Bibi’s occupation as a maid, coupled with Salamat Masih’s paralysis and inability to work, places immense financial strain on the household. Their younger son, Iliyas Masih, earns a modest monthly wage of Rs. 7,000 (£20) from the same factory where his brother tragically lost his life. Despite their hardships, they manage to sustain themselves in rented accommodation comprising two shops, paying Rs. 6,000 in rent.
In the face of such adversity, Rubina Bibi has turned to the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) for legal assistance in seeking justice for her son’s murder. She acknowledges the daunting challenge posed by the perpetrators’ influence and power, stating, “The murderers of my son are powerful people and I cannot fight with them.” Her plea to BACA is straightforward: “Please help me fight for justice.”
The British Asian Christian Association aims to support the Masih family during this tragic time. We are seeking donations to cover the cost of a legal advocate, estimated at £1500, to pursue justice for Waqas Masih. Additionally, we aim to provide £62 per month to assist the family, including Waqas’s younger brother Ilyas who has left his employment for the next six months, as they rebuild their lives. If you would like to contribute and support this family, please consider donating (click here). Your generosity will make a significant difference in their pursuit of justice and recovery. Thank you for your compassion and support.
Juliet Chowdhry, trustee for British Asian Christian Association, said:
