News Desk
In Faisalabad’s remote village, Chak No. 08 Panj Garaian Kamalpur, Waqas Masih, a Christian agricultural labour, has been targeted in a disturbing incident of persecution during the month of Ramzan. Waqas, poor father of two, working as Labor under a local Muslim landlord ‘Jutts’, suffered a harrowing assault that left him severely injured and traumatized.
The victim , was shot multiple times at his landlord house, with one bullet piercing his leg, causing serious injury.
Additionally, he endured vicious physical assault at the hands of his landlord and the landlord’s armed nephew, identified as Luqman Saleem . Saleem, recently released on bail for a serious offense, was allegedly involved in the attack, exacerbating the severity of the situation. Wounded Waqas, was kept pleading for help bleeding on the floor, for 40 long minutes.
According to statements from the victim’s family, the assault was precipitated by the laborer’s inquiry about overdue wages. Despite his diligent labor, he was informed that his salaries would only be dispensed annually in June, following proper calculations. He was also assaulted previously in December, when he asked for salaries on Christmas. This time, his inquiry for salaries again seemed to have angered the landlord and served as a pretext for the brutal attack to avoid payments.
Furthermore, the assailants reportedly issued threats against the entire Christian community, warning them against seeking support or asserting their rights.
The victim, after enduring the assault, was hospitalized for two days to receive medical treatment for his injuries. However, the physical wounds are not the only scars he carries; the trauma of the assault has left him psychologically distressed. Despite being discharged from the hospital, he continues to grapple with the aftermath of the horrifying experience, his sense of security shattered.
The family of the victim has expressed deep concern over the lack of police cooperation in apprehending the perpetrators. Despite the registration of a First Information Report (FIR), no arrests have been made, leaving the victim and the entire community vulnerable to further threats and violence, especially as Easter approaches.