London: (By Hannah Chowdhry and Juliet Chowdhry) In a tragic incident at a brick kiln in Khushal Town, Faisalabad, a Christian worker, Rawal Masih, lost his life due to burns sustained while working. However, the circumstances surrounding his death remain shrouded in uncertainty, as the police hastily classified it as an accident without conducting a thorough investigation. In response to this injustice, the family of Rawal Masih organized a protest outside the Labor Union Office in Faisalabad, demanding accountability and justice for him.

Despite their outcry, the family has yet to receive any form of compensation or support in their time of mourning.”

In the quiet hours of April 7th, tragedy befell the Masih family in Khushal Town, Faisalabad, as their young son, Rawal Masih, ventured into the night for what would tragically be his final task. At just 19 years old, Rawal, a Christian brick loader, set out to load bricks at a local kiln. Little did he know, this routine chore would end in a horrific ordeal.

By 10:30 pm, the flames of the brick kiln had claimed Rawal’s life, burning him alive within its unforgiving confines. The following day, April 8th, brought no relief from the agony as a dedicated team from Emergency Services, known as 1122, solemnly collected what remained of Rawal’s body. With heavy hearts, they laid him to rest in a local graveyard, marking the end of a promising young life.

Rawal was not just another worker; he was the sole provider for his family, working tirelessly as a driver and brick loader for his employer, Muhammad Sufi Barkat Ali. On that fateful evening, as the clock struck 10:00 pm, Rawal bid farewell to his family, never to return, leaving them engulfed in sorrow and despair.

The circumstances surrounding Rawal’s death remain clouded in uncertainty, with conflicting accounts adding to the family’s anguish. According to Ashfaq Masih, Rawal’s uncle, the only narrative they have to cling to is one provided by Muhammad Arslan, Rawal’s co-loader. Arslan recounted a harrowing tale of Rawal slipping into the kiln’s fiery abyss through a hole intended for coal insertion. Further complicating matters, the brick kiln owner, Muhammad Sufi Barkat, claimed Rawal had been summoned to the accountant’s office, inadvertently leading to his tragic demise.

In the aftermath of the devastating incident, Rawal’s family, desperate for answers, descended upon the kiln, but their efforts were in vain. It was only through the intervention of the kiln owner, Muhammad Bilal Saroya, that authorities were alerted, sparking a 24-hour struggle to quell the inferno raging within. Eventually, the rescue team was able to enter the kiln, retrieving nothing but Rawal’s charred bones from the ashen remnants of his existence.

Despite the gravity of the situation, justice remains elusive. The police, without conducting a proper investigation, hastily deemed Rawal’s death an accident, failing to register a First Information Report (FIR). No inquiries have been made, and neither the accountant nor Rawal’s companion have faced interrogation, leaving the family to grapple with unanswered questions and an overwhelming sense of injustice.

In their darkest hour, the Masih family found solace in the comforting presence of BACA, who extended their condolences to Rawal’s grieving parents, Rasheed Masih and Shehnaz Bibi. Yet, their pain is far from assuaged as the shadows of doubt continue to obscure the truth behind Rawal’s tragic demise.

In a poignant display of their anguish and demand for accountability, Rawal’s parents took to the streets, staging a protest outside the Labor Department office in Faisalabad. Their cries for justice reverberate through the corridors of power, a testament to the enduring spirit of a family torn apart by the unforgiving cruelty of fate.

In 2018, Pakistan ratified the Occupational Safety Act, a significant step towards ensuring the well-being and protection of workers across the nation. As we navigate the aftermath of Rawal Masih’s tragic death, we cling to the hope that this legislative framework will serve as an opportunity for justice

The pursuit of justice for Wishal Masih demands our collective support. With the cost of legal representation standing at £1500, every contribution brings us closer to uncovering the truth and holding accountable those responsible for his untimely demise. Your donation, no matter the amount, is a beacon of hope for Rawal’s family in their quest for justice. To donate and stand in solidarity with them, click (here). 

Juliet Chowdhry, trustee for British Asian Christian Association, remarked:

“Rawal Masih’s untimely demise at the brick kiln in Khushal Town, Faisalabad, is not just a tragedy; it’s a chilling reminder of the injustices that Christians face in Pakistan.

“As his family grapples with the pain of loss and the torment of unanswered questions, we are standing with them, demanding accountability and justice for Rawal’s life cut short.

“Whether Rawal Masih’s tragic death was a mere accident or harbors darker truths, it’s imperative that the law enforcement authorities and the Labour and Human Resource Department Punjab should as a minimum undertake a thorough investigation.

“Every life lost deserves justice, and every family shattered by such incidents deserves closure.”