Pakistan: Pakistani Boy Dies From Police Torture, Pakistani Girl Suffers Acid Burns For Clinging to Her Convictions, Page 2

August 2002

Articles in this issue:  Pakistan - Our New U.S. Ally?, Page 1 | Pakistan, Page 2 | Pakistan, Page 3 | Pakistan, Page 4

“...Loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke.” Isaiah 58:6

Pakistani Boy Dies From Police Torture

The family of slain 15-year-old Yaqoob Masih

Yaqoob Masih, a 15-year-old Pakistani Christian, died on June 27, 2002 following torture inflicted by police during interrogations. Yaqoob Masih was a resident of Christian Kachi Abadi, a small Christian community. He was the only son of Anayat Masih. The youth had just started his job as a sweeper for the Customs Department of the government of Pakistan.

Yaqoob Masih was a witness to an act of bribery between customs officers and the owner of a vehicle who was evading paying taxes. Yaqoob was warned not to tell senior customs officials about what had happened, but Yaqoob said that he, as a Christian, would have to tell the truth if asked. Fearing that Yaqoob might talk, the owner of the van lodged a false case against Yaqoob, resulting in his arrest by the local police.

On the influence of the vehicle owner, the police tortured Yaqoob, breaking several ribs. He received other serious injuries on his body as a result of the cruel acts of torture by the police, including pulling out his finger nails with a pair of pliers.

Succumbing to the excruciating pain inflicted by the barbaric actions of the police, Yaqoob passed out and was taken to the hospital where he later died. The police are now trying to hush up the case. The father and relatives of Yaqoob Masih protested the police tyranny.

ICC representatives immediately went to the place of the incident to encourage the victim's family and to offer them assistance. Since Yaqoob's father was no longer able to care his family, Yaqoob had become the sole breadwinner. An effort is also underway to press the government authorities to bring to justice the policemen who were responsible for Yaqoob's brutal death.

Pakistani Girl Suffers Acid Burns
For Clinging to Her Convictions

In an impoverished Christian enclave within the city of Faisalabad, for 17-year-old Gulnaz Aftab Masih, it was a day like any other day. Coming from a poor family, her father a laborer and her mother washing the clothes of wealthy Muslim families, Gulnaz felt it was her duty to help with the family's financial needs. Gulnaz was a very compassionate girl. After completing her primary education she decided to help raise money to send her 12-year-old brother to the Christian school. Being poor, education is a luxury that many can't afford.

Close to where Gulnaz and her family live is a butcher shop owned by Naseeb Ali, who also runs a Public Call Office (PCO), a place where local residents pay a fee to use the telephone. Gulnaz managed to get a job as a telephone operator at the PCO. Because she is a Christian, the friends of the owner would frequently come to the PCO and insult her with degrading words. They pressured her to embrace Islam and told her that, "Beautiful girls like you should not remain in Christianity." She complained to the owner about the attitude of these Muslim men, but he would not take any action against his friends. On June 14, 2002, she told her boss that she would be quitting her job.

Later the same day, Tariq Saleem, a friend of the owner, went to the PCO to make a phone call. But instead of placing a call, he just sat there. Gulnaz said to him that loitering was not allowed. He approached her and started fondling her. Gulnaz, having high moral standards, refused and slapped the young man on the face. Tariq warned her that he would take revenge.

Gulnaz went home and the next day came to collect her salary. Naseeb Ali and his friends, including Tariq Saleem, were again standing outside the PCO. Tariq followed Gulnaz into the PCO, took from his pocket a bottle of sulfuric acid, and threw it on her face, breasts, arms, and legs. Screaming with pain, she called for help. No one came to her rescue. Seemingly not content with the harm he had already inflicted upon Gulnaz, Tariq then threw more acid into her eyes, causing her to be unable to see. He then poured the remaining drops of acid in her mouth.

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POSTED:  August 17, 2002

August 2002

Articles in this issue:  Pakistan - Our New U.S. Ally?, Page 1 | Pakistan, Page 2 | Pakistan, Page 3 | Pakistan, Page 4