London: (By Hannah Chowdhry and Juliet Chowdhry) On the 8th of May, Shahid Masih, a 35-year-old Christian dairy worker, was unjustly accused of theft and subjected to horrifying torture. His employer, Muhammad Ijaz, allegedly forced Shahid to ingest a corrosive substance in the village of Ghang Sheikhupura. This act of brutality left Shahid unconscious and in critical condition.

The perpetrators, upon realizing the severity of Shahid’s injuries, transported him to the Trauma Centre in Sheikhupura. However, despite the initial medical intervention, Shahid’s condition continued to deteriorate, prompting the doctors to transfer him to Mayo Hospital in Lahore for specialized care.  Read more (here).

For eleven agonizing days, Shahid fought for his life at Mayo Hospital, but tragically, he succumbed to his injuries on the 18th of May 2024. His untimely passing has left behind his wife, Sonia, and their six children, who now face an uncertain future without their primary provider.

Around 1:00 pm, Sonia Bibi, aged 38, reached out to a BACA officer, her voice choked with tears, as she lamented, “Shahid has left us alone. My children are now orphans.” Her heart-wrenching plea highlighted the profound loss and anguish her family was experiencing.

Adding to their agony, Sonia revealed that Mayo Hospital was withholding Shahid Masih’s body from them. The hospital cited the necessity of involving local police from Sheikhupura due to the circumstances surrounding Shahid’s death.

This refusal to release Shahid’s body was prolonging the family’s suffering adding to the bureaucratic hurdles they were facing in their time of grief. Sonia and her children wanted to bid farewell to their loved one with the dignity and closure they deserved.

Upon receiving the distress call from Sonia Bibi, the BACA team swiftly mobilized to provide support to the grieving family at Mayo Hospital Lahore. Our officer guided Sonia to contact the Police Emergency Helpline at 15 for immediate police assistance.

Sonia bravely informed the police officers on the line about her husband Shahid Masih’s passing at Mayo Hospital. She detailed the horrific ordeal Shahid endured at the hands of his employer, Muhammad Ijaz, and his brother, Muhammad Nazar, in Ghang village, Sheikhupura.

Assuring Sonia of their assistance, the police officer on the emergency helpline pledged full support to her cause. Within ten minutes, she received a call from the in-charge of Bhiki Police Station, Sheikhupura, informing her that two constables were dispatched to Mayo Hospital.

Subsequently, two police officers from Bhikki Police Station arrived at Mayo Hospital around 8:00 pm. Following the necessary legal procedures, they received the deceased body of Shahid Masih, providing some solace to the grieving family amidst their profound loss.

Police officers organised the transfer of Mr Masih’s body to District Headquarters Hospital Sheikhupura, where a post-mortem examination was conducted by Doctor Ameer Hamza. The resulting Medico Legal Certificate, numbered MLC No. 2787-6225180-2024, provided conclusive evidence of the extensive damage caused by the corrosive substance, severely affecting Shahid’s esophagus and stomach, leading to the sloughing off of its mucosa.

Sonia Bibi, bravely seeking justice for her late husband, took the initiative to apply for the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the perpetrators. She accused Muhammad Ijaz, Muhammad Nazar, and their accomplices of torturing Shahid and forcefully administering the corrosive liquid that ultimately led to his tragic demise.

Responding to Sonia’s plea, the police registered the FIR under case number 1502/24, citing charges under sections 302, 336, 364, 355, 352, 148, and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code. This formal legal action signifies a crucial step towards holding the perpetrators accountable for their actions and seeking justice for Shahid Masih and his grieving family.

After the completion of the post-mortem examination, Shahid Masih’s body was transported to Lahore and brought to the residence of Zahid Masih, Shahid’s younger brother. There, among loved ones and friends, Shahid received his final funeral rites before being laid to rest in a local graveyard at approximately 8:00 pm. It was a somber occasion attended by the BACA team, offering their condolences and support to the grieving family.

Recognizing the financial strain on the family during this difficult time, BACA took the responsibility of covering the funeral expenses, alleviating some of the burdens faced by Sonia Bibi and her family.

Sonia Bibi has turned to BACA for support, seeking assistance in settling the bonded labor debt and securing legal aid to pursue justice for her husband’s murder. BACA stands poised to stand by Sonia in her pursuit of justice, offering essential legal counsel and aid to navigate the complex legal proceedings and ensure accountability for the perpetrators’ egregious deeds. Through these dedicated efforts, BACA reasserts its unwavering commitment to championing the rights and welfare of victims and their families, steadfast in its resolve to uphold the principles of justice. It’s deeply troubling that in Pakistan, murder cases and rape trials are often treated as civil matters, exacerbating the injustice. The disturbing reality worsens with the allowance for perpetrators to seek exoneration through Sharia-based Qisas and Diyat Laws, perpetuating a cycle of impunity for heinous crimes.

To support Sonia Bibi in her pursuit of justice and to assist her family in overcoming their bonded labor debt, we urgently need to raise funds. Our goal is to raise £1500 to cover the costs of legal counsel for Sonia’s case. Additionally, the family requires £588 to settle their bonded labor contract, of which we have already received a generous donation of £300, leaving a remaining balance of £288. Your contribution will make a significant difference in helping us reach this target.

Once the bonded labor debt is settled, the family will be relocated to a relative’s home, with plans to transition them into a new rental property as soon as possible. We aim to raise £150 per month to cover the rental expenses. To sustain this support, we will provide Sonia Bibi with free training in using a stitching machine and will help her secure employment, ensuring she can meet rental obligations after six months of assistance.

Your donation, no matter the amount, will greatly contribute to providing much-needed relief and stability to Sonia Bibi and her family during this challenging time. Please consider donating through the provided link (here) to help us achieve these goals and support this deserving family in their journey toward justice and independence.

Juliet Chowdhry said: “This is a heartbreaking account of brutal violence against an innocent Christian man. The savagery with which Shahid was murdered is utterly detestable and deserves to be punished to the full extent of the law. It is a damning indictment of Pakistan that Christians remain vulnerable and face such devastating persecution due to perceived impunity. Only a concerted effort to uphold the law in this and other incidents will change the appalling mindset that treats Christians as pariahs and condones the violence meted out against them.

“The death of Shahid has left a widow with the immense responsibility of supporting six children in a country that lacks a benefits system. The courts must ensure this family receives adequate compensation for the loss of their main breadwinner. Moreover, the nation must review its lack of support for the most vulnerable members of society. Failure to address this issue will perpetuate the cycle of hardship and injustice faced by families like Shahid’s.”