Islamabad, June 25: A Christian man was brutally murdered by his Muslim coworker in Pakistan after he objected to drinking water from a cooler used by other laborers, citing his minority status.
Local pastor and human rights activist Saleem Ghori reported that 40-year-old Siddique Masih worked as a daily wage laborer alongside his brother, Rafiq Masih, in brick kilns located in the Kasur district of Punjab province.
According to Ghori, both brothers were loading bricks onto a truck at the Ayan brick kiln in Gohar Chak Number 8 village. Eyewitnesses stated that a dispute arose between Siddique and a Muslim laborer named Ahmed Waryam over a work-related issue. The situation was diffused after other workers intervened, and both returned to their tasks. Later, Ahmed confronted Siddique and told him not to drink water from the cooler because he was Christian.
Ghori noted, “Siddique compared Ahmed’s behavior to that of Yazid, whose army deprived the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussain, and his family of water before the tragedy of Karbala.” Witnesses reported that Ahmed then drew a knife and slit Siddique’s throat, resulting in his immediate death.
Ghori further revealed that Siddique was the sole breadwinner for his family, which includes his wife and four children. One of his sons suffers from thalassemia and requires blood transfusions every two to three weeks. The family, already struggling financially while living in a rented home, now faces an even more uncertain future following Siddique’s death.
Sunil Kaleem, a representative from the Organization for Legal Aid (OLA), stated that this attack exemplifies the widespread violence against minorities in Pakistan. The brutality of this murder is deeply concerning and highlights the ongoing insecurity faced by many religious minorities today. He urged Pakistani authorities to conduct a fair investigation and ensure that the perpetrators receive severe punishment.
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