ICC Note:

Due to generations of discrimination and persecution, many Christians in Pakistan are among the poorest and most marginalized. Often, this makes Christians susceptible to many dangers and abuses such as bonded labor, better known as modern day slavery. Recently, a Christian brick kiln worker was caught in this situation when he borrowed money from a brick kiln owner who made the Christian pay off the debt through labor. Unfortunately, when the debt was paid, the brick kiln owner kidnapped the Christian man and is now holding him for ransom and likely continuing to force him to work as a slave. 

05/12/2017 Pakistan (Christians in Pakistan) – A brick kiln owner kidnapped a Christian man and demanded huge amount of ransom for his release. 35-year-old Salim Masih, who was formerly working at abductor’s brick kiln, was purportedly kidnapped by Sheikh Mustfa, the owner of the brick kiln.

British Pakistani Christians Association (BPCA) reports that over a year ago, Salim Masih took a loan of 10,000 rupees from Shiekh Mustafa. Salim Masih had agreed to work at the brick kiln of Sheikh Mustafa. In keeping with this agreement, Salim and his wife were supposed to work at Shiekh Mustafa’s brick kilns at Phatak Gunje Khudiya, District Kasur. It was settled between Salim and Shiekh Mustafa that after working for a year, Christian family’s loan would be settled.

After the Christian couple had served Sheikh Mustafa for a year, they left the brick kiln at night because they were aware that their master would not allow them to leave. After leaving Sheikh Mustafa’s brick kiln, they headed to another brick kiln where they were previously working as hired laborers.

After three months, Sheikh Mustafa was able to trace their whereabouts. On April 21, Sheikh Mustafa sent two men to Salim’s house. The two men tortured and abused Salim Masih, in front of his wife and children. Afterwards they took him with them, demanding his wife to arrange for 40,000 rupees for release of Salim.

Salim’s wife reported the incident to the police, however police showed reluctance to register a case against the perpetrators.

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