Christians Under Attack

The Muslim owner of ‘Five Star Switches’ company, Shafiq-ur-Rehman Khan, allegedly killed Waqas Masih, 14, and seriously injured Zeeshan Masih, 12, after they extended their leave from work for one more day without his permission.

Before beating them, Khan contemptuously called the two Christians ‘choora’ (a derogatory word frequently used to insult Christians in Pakistan, which literally means sanitary worker). He also told them that because they were Christians, they were not suitable for learning to make switches; instead they should clean the streets and manure.

Waqas Masih and Zeeshan Masih had been working as apprentices at the company for the last two years. Zeeshan informed ICC that Waqas suffered injuries over his head and spinal cord and died on the spot. Zeeshan was later taken to a clinic for medical treatment.

ICC spoke with Shafiq-ur-Rehman Khan (the alleged perpetrator). He denied the allegations and claimed that the victims had fallen from the roof of the factory.

Family members of the victims have asked the police to apprehend Khan for his alleged crimes. ICC also spoke with the police in Sargodha. They told ICC that up until now, they have not brought a case against Khan but they have questioned him. The police said that a fair trial would be conducted, the killer would be properly punished and justice would be served for the Christian family.

ICC’s Regional Manager for South Asia, Jonathan Racho, said, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Waqas and injuries sustained by Zeeshan. We call upon the Pakistani Police to seriously investigate the crime and bring the perpetrators to justice. We call upon the international community to pay attention to this and other plights of Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan