Pakistan: Christian Slave Freed after Ransom is Paid

A Christian man who was essentially living as a slave in Pakistan has been freed after a Christian organization intervened.

Christian Today reports that Salim Masih was in servitude as a brick kiln worker. He was subjected to torture and lived as though he was a slave. Although slavery is illegal in Pakistan, Christians are often forced into such a life.

Masih was reportedly freed after the British Pakistani Christian Association intervened and paid a ransom to secure his release.

The organization says it tries to refrain from paying ransom to the captors, but Masih’s case called for swift action.

“Though British Pakistani Christian Association is loathe to pay brick kiln owners for the emancipation of slaves which a practice which perpetuates despite being outlawed, we realised we had no option in this instance if we were to save the life of Salim,” read a press statement from the BPCA.

Masih praised God for helping him escape: “When the men discovered an NGO had got involved the violence increased and I thought I would be killed. But somehow God saved my life I owe Him everything.”

Christians often face discrimination and persecution in Pakistan. The country ranks fourth on Open World Watch List of countries where Christian persecution is most severe.

Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Publication date: May 19, 2017