11/14/2019 Pakistan (International Christian Concern) – The family of Akash Masih, an 18-year-old Christian who worked at Aman Bakery in Sialkot, Pakistan, claims that their son was murdered by his Muslim coworkers on September 24. According to Akash’s father, his son was killed because of discrimination and religious jealousy.
“My son was an expert at baking and making shawarma and burgers,” Sarwar Masih, Akash’s father, told International Christian Concern (ICC). “His expertise was liked by the customers, however, he faced discrimination and religious jealousy at his workplace. He often complained about the unfavorable situation at the bakery, but he continued working to help his family.”
On September 24, the staff at Aman Bakery informed Sarwar that his son was not feeling well and was taken to the local hospital. When Sarwar arrived at the hospital, he discovered that his son was already dead.
When Sarwar attempted to investigate his son’s death, he was threatened by the Aman Bakery’s administration. “They said, ‘We will teach you a lesson if you go for legal course against us,’” Sarwar told ICC. “We did not get an encouraging response from police either.”
According to Sarwar, police claim that Akash committed suicide.
The claim that Akash was murdered has recently gone viral because of a video of Akash’s body was released on Facebook. In that video, the signs of torture can be seen on Akash’s back and neck.
So far, Sarwar has been “unsatisfied” with the investigation into his son’s death. According to Sarwar, his application to exhume Akash’s body for investigation have been denied by the court for the last two months.
“These are delaying tactics to defuse the evidences against the culprits,” Sarwar told ICC. “Christians face hatred and discrimination even after their death.”
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