The family of Daud Masih, a 16-year-old Christian youth shot dead in a local market in Bhikhi, Pakistan’s Punjab province, is urging a prompt and impartial inquiry into the incident. Police have apprehended Muhammad Junaid as the main suspect in Masih’s killing, following a confrontation between the two over Junaid’s alleged inappropriate behavior towards children in the village. Despite the arrest, Masih’s family stresses that their quest for justice has just begun.
Masih’s mother attempted to resolve the issue by meeting Junaid’s mother, but the encounter escalated into a heated argument. Tragically, later that day, Junaid fatally shot Masih in the market. Rauf Masih, the victim’s brother, has appealed for a swift and unbiased investigation, emphasizing the need for justice and safeguarding vulnerable groups, particularly Christians.
Ishfaq Masih, the victim’s uncle, lamented the loss of his teenage nephew, emphasizing Masih’s courageous act of protecting others. He called for substantial punishment for the perpetrator, rejecting mere promises. Human rights activists have strongly condemned the killing, with minority rights defender Munaza Younas denouncing the incident as an attack on societal morality. She urged authorities to ensure the family’s prompt access to justice without any hindrance.
A leading minority rights organization has also decried the alleged custodial killing of Iftikhar Masih, a Christian man who died under suspicious circumstances while in police custody on fabricated kidnapping charges. The family of Iftikhar, a father of four and a university gardener, refutes the police’s claim of suicide, alleging that he was tortured to death. The organization highlighted the family’s struggle to resist a corrupt demand for money to resolve the case, leading to Iftikhar’s tragic demise.
Riyasat Masih, Iftikhar’s brother, rejected the suicide narrative, pointing out signs of physical abuse on the body. The rights body emphasized the lack of justice and transparency in the case, portraying Iftikhar as a victim of systemic corruption. The incident sparked public outrage, with over 300 Christians protesting at the police station, demanding accountability and shedding light on the alleged injustice faced by Iftikhar Masih.
