News Desk
Jaranwala, Faisalabad Pakistan:
Farooq Masih, a Christian man in his early forties, has been embroiled in a harrowing battle for justice after being sexually harassed by local Muslim youths in Essa Nagri, Jaranwala, last year. This incident sparked a prolonged legal dispute characterized by animosity from the perpetrators, who awaited an opportunity to inflict further harm on Farooq and his family.
On August 16, 2023, during the widespread unrest in Jaranwala, these individuals, along with other radicals, seized the moment to settle their personal scores. They launched a violent attack on Farooq’s home, vandalizing it extensively. The attack was captured on video by an unknown bystander, and this footage later became crucial evidence against the attackers, who subsequently sought its removal.
The situation escalated on May 6, 2024, when Farooq was assaulted on Canal Road and threatened with death unless the incriminating video was deleted. Despite the clear evidence of the attack, the police have reportedly manipulated the facts, leading to Farooq’s arrest on charges of filing a false First Information Report (FIR).
In response, local activists and the priest of Farooq Masih Church, Sarfaraz, urged the authorities to retrieve recordings from the 15 police helpline, where his calls were recorded, to reveal the truth.
Additionally, he argues that these recordings will provide undeniable evidence of Farooq’s plight and the threats he has faced.
Farooq now finds himself struggling for justice and safety in an environment that increasingly marginalizes local Christians.