PAKISTAN: Christian Sanitary Worker Attacked

SOURCES: Assist News; The Voice of the Martyrs USA; Voice of the Martyrs AU

Yousaf Masih, a Pakistani Christian sanitary worker has sustained critical injuries to his eye and head after Muslim fruit sellers assaulted him on Monday, 23 February.

Masih, 38, was collecting garbage when he asked the fruit sellers, who were sifting fruit, to stack the garbage in one place. Suddenly, at least four Muslim fruit sellers began hurling obscenities at Masih before severely beating him up with clubs. One of them hurled a weighing stone used to weigh fruit at Masih’s eye, inflicting a serious ocular injury. Masih also sustained significant injuries to his head.

Masih’s supervisor phoned the police, who came to rescue him. He was subsequently taken to the district headquarters hospital in Gujranwala, where he received treatment, including six stitches to his affected eye.

When Masih visited the local police station to lodge a First Information Report (FIR), the police refused, stating that they would first require a medico-legal report before they could lodge an FIR. Unfortunately, the medical superintendent of the hospital did not sign the medical report on 23 February. In what appears to be dilatory tactics on the part of the medical superintendent of Gujranwala, Masih was summoned on 28 February for a fresh medical examination. Masih, who cares for his father after a recent stroke, has limited resources. Additionally, sources report that Masih’s supervisor has been marking him as absent since the attack instead of placing him on paid sick leave.

Christians in Pakistan are often treated as second-class citizens and are forced to work long hours in labour-intensive jobs, such as sanitation or brick kilns. Here, Christians are often harassed by their employer or community and regularly denied proper medical care because of their faith in Christ. Masih’s story is a reminder of the harsh reality that Christians in Pakistan face.

• Pray for Yousaf Masih as he heals from the trauma and injuries inflicted upon him. Pray that he would receive the medical care he needs for complete healing.

• Pray that the Lord would change the hearts of the authorities and medical team who are blocking his legal case, asking the Lord to intervene so that justice can take place and proper care can be given.

• Pray for the many Pakistani Christians who this case represents. Ask the Lord to intervene in medical cases for healing and in legal cases for justice.