A human rights organization has drawn attention to the struggles faced by the poorest individuals in Pakistan, particularly many Christians, who fall into debt bondage after borrowing money from questionable lenders without a full understanding of the terms. The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) based in Germany highlighted that illiterate borrowers are often coerced into repaying debts through labor due to high interest rates and meager wages.
The ISHR emphasized that debt bondage transcends mere financial issues, likening it to modern slavery where individuals work tirelessly in harsh conditions with little hope of breaking free. Pakistani human rights activist Sajid Christopher from the Human Friends Organization (HFO) expressed worry about a Christian family enduring prolonged debt bondage. Javed Masih, a 72-year-old member of the family, has spent over thirty years toiling at brick kilns, facing physical exhaustion and struggling for basic survival.
Christopher described the dire situation, noting how the weight of bricks and dust from the brickyard have taken a toll on Javed’s health. The activist revealed that a loan taken out of necessity had spiraled into an unmanageable debt of Pakistani Rs 399,756 for Javed, chaining him to the brickyard and hindering any progress for his family. The ISHR echoed concerns that individuals like Javed are stripped of their rights and opportunities, with such hardships often extending to future generations.
The rights group cited a report by the US State Department indicating that millions of people in Pakistan endure conditions akin to slavery, working in brick factories, farms, and households. Additionally, over a million children are compelled to forgo education and healthy development as they assist their parents in laborious tasks, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and exploitation.
