A Sad Story of Iftikhar Masih: A Christian Guarantor Left Burdened After a Bonded-Labour Rescue

PATTOKI, KASUR, PUNJAB, PAKISTAN — LEAD Ministries has received an account from Iftikhar Masih, a Christian man who says he has been left facing a substantial financial burden after three Muslim families were released from alleged bonded labor through habeas corpus proceedings.

According to the facts and allegations presented by Iftikhar Masih to LEAD Ministries, the families had been working at a brick kiln in Tehsil Pattoki, District Kasur, after receiving approximately PKR 1.2 million (12 lakh) in advance or debt from the brick-kiln owner.

Iftikhar’s account has raised concerns within LEAD Ministries about what can happen when workers are released from an alleged bonded-labor arrangement through legal proceedings while a disputed financial obligation remains and is subsequently pursued against a guarantor.

A Christian Survivor’s Journey from Bonded Labor

Iftikhar Masih also shared his own experience with LEAD Ministries, explaining how he was previously rescued from bonded labor after a Christian organization helped settle his outstanding debt.

According to Iftikhar, after his debt was settled and he was freed from bonded labour, he was able to start a new life. He now operates a small karyana (general) shop, through which he earns an independent livelihood.

His experience of rehabilitation, however, has also made him concerned about another case in which, according to his account, a poor Christian guarantor has been left facing a significant financial obligation.

Dispute Involving Three Muslim Families

According to the account given by Iftikhar Masih to LEAD Ministries, three Muslim families, described as Masali/Muslim Sheikh families and comprising approximately 12 family members, originally came from the Jaatri area of Sheikhupura District.

Iftikhar told LEAD Ministries that the families had received approximately PKR 1.2 million (12 lakh) from a brick-kiln owner in Tehsil Pattoki, District Kasur, and subsequently worked at the brick kiln.

According to Iftikhar’s account, the families last year approached the High Court through habeas corpus proceedings and were subsequently released from the brick kiln.

Iftikhar further told LEAD Ministries that, following the proceedings, the families were no longer required to repay the claimed amount to the brick-kiln owner.

The precise contents and findings of the relevant court proceedings have not been independently examined for this report. The legal status of the alleged debt therefore remains a matter requiring verification through the relevant court records and financial documents.

Iftikhar Masih Says the Debt Was Left with Him

The central concern described by Iftikhar to LEAD Ministries is his position as a guarantor.

According to Iftikhar, he had stood as guarantor when the families received the money from the brick-kiln owner. He told LEAD Ministries that after the families were released through the legal process, the brick-kiln owner turned to him for repayment.

Iftikhar says he is now being asked to bear responsibility for approximately PKR 1.2 million, together with around PKR 100,000 in legal expenses, which he says the brick-kiln owner claims were incurred during the proceedings.

Iftikhar told LEAD Ministries that, as a local person who had acted as guarantor, he feels he has little practical alternative but to face the financial demand.

According to Iftikhar’s description of the brick-kiln owner’s position, the owner considers the debt recoverable from the guarantor after the families were released.

Iftikhar’s Account of What Happened Before the Court Case

Iftikhar also told LEAD Ministries that, according to his knowledge, there had been no physical dispute or mistreatment at the brick kiln before the families left to pursue the legal proceedings.

He alleged that the families went to court without informing the brick-kiln owner and that allegations of torture and mistreatment were subsequently made during the habeas corpus proceedings.

These statements are Iftikhar Masih’s account to LEAD Ministries and have not been independently verified. The families concerned, the brick-kiln owner and their respective legal representatives should have an opportunity to provide their accounts and respond to these allegations.

Pastor Imran Amanat Raises Wider Concerns

Based on the account presented to LEAD Ministries, Pastor Imran Amanat, head of LEAD Ministries, has raised broader concerns about the consequences of using habeas corpus proceedings in bonded-labour disputes where outstanding debts, guarantors and competing accounts are also involved.

Pastor Imran Amanat’s concern is not that people subjected to bonded labour should be denied protection or freedom. Rather, he believes that the rescue of workers should be accompanied by proper consideration of the underlying financial dispute and the position of any guarantor.

From LEAD Ministries’ perspective, if a vulnerable family is released from an alleged bonded-labour arrangement while another poor and vulnerable person is subsequently left facing the disputed financial burden, the situation can create another serious humanitarian problem.

The issue therefore involves more than the release of workers. It also raises questions about the nature of the original advance, the legal status of the debt, the obligations of a guarantor, and how all vulnerable parties can be protected.

Rehabilitation After Rescue

Iftikhar’s own experience is also being highlighted by LEAD Ministries as an example of the importance of rehabilitation.

According to Iftikhar, after a Christian organization helped settle his debt and he was released from bonded labour, he was able to establish his small karyana shop and begin earning an independent livelihood.

For LEAD Ministries, this demonstrates that rescue should ideally be followed by rehabilitation, debt resolution and sustainable employment, rather than simply removing a person from one workplace without addressing the circumstances that contributed to bonded labour.

According to the information Iftikhar provided to LEAD Ministries, the three families involved in the Pattoki case are now working at another brick kiln in Kot Abdul Malik.

LEAD Ministries’ Vision to Rescue Christians from Bonded Labor

LEAD Ministries says its mission is to help rescue Christian brothers and sisters trapped in bonded labour and living in harsh and vulnerable circumstances. The organization is concerned that severe poverty, debt and dependence can leave Christian families vulnerable to exploitation and, in some circumstances, pressure affecting their ability to freely practice their faith.

LEAD Ministries says it has encountered cases involving Christian families whose circumstances have changed over time. In the case discussed in this report, the three families are described by Iftikhar as families who were formerly Christian but converted to Islam approximately five years ago and are now identified as Muslim/Masali/Muslim Sheikh families. The circumstances and reasons for their conversion have not been independently established.

Through its work, LEAD Ministries seeks to support vulnerable Christians through rescue, legal assistance, rehabilitation and economic support, with the aim of helping families protect their Christian faith and build a safer and better future. LEAD Ministries also views this work as an important part of church planting and strengthening the Christian community, because protecting vulnerable Christian families and helping them remain rooted in their faith can create opportunities for Christian fellowship, discipleship and the growth of local churches. The organization is calling on blessed brothers and sisters around the world to stand with LEAD Ministries in its vision of protecting Christians from violence, persecution, exploitation and bonded labour, while helping vulnerable and rescued families rebuild their lives with dignity, freedom, security and hope for a better life.

Christian Community Mourns the Passing of Senior Advocate Liaqat John in Lahore

Sardar Mushtaq Gill, Founder of LEAD Ministries, and Pastor Imran Amanat Remember a Dedicated Advocate and Servant of the Community

LAHORE — The Christian community and legal fraternity are mourning the passing of Liaqat John, Advocate High Court, a senior and respected member of the Christian Lawyers Association of Pakistan (CLAP), who passed away this morning.

The news of his passing has brought profound grief to his family, friends, colleagues, and the wider Christian community. Liaqat John was respected not only for his legal profession but also for his commitment to community service and his willingness to use his knowledge and experience to assist others.

Sardar Mushtaq Gill, Founder of LEAD Ministries, expressed deep sorrow over the loss and paid tribute to Liaqat John’s longstanding association with the ministry. As one of the founding members of LEAD Ministries, Liaqat John made a valuable contribution to its work and remained committed to supporting its mission of serving the community.

Through his legal expertise, Liaqat John provided legal assistance, advice, and professional support in connection with the work of LEAD Ministries. His willingness to make his legal knowledge available for the benefit of others reflected his strong sense of service and responsibility. His contribution was particularly valued by those who worked alongside him and by people who sought assistance through the ministry.

Pastor Imran Amanat, leader of LEAD Ministries, also shared the painful news of his passing and remembered Liaqat John as a loving brother, sincere colleague, dedicated advocate, and compassionate human being.

 “His memories, kindness, and valuable contributions will always remain in our hearts,” Pastor Amanat said, expressing his deep sorrow at the loss.

Liaqat John’s professional life was distinguished by his dedication to the legal profession and his commitment to helping people. Beyond the courtroom, he remained involved in community service, offering his time, experience, and legal expertise whenever it could be of assistance.

His association with LEAD Ministries was an important part of that service. As a founding member, he worked with the ministry and contributed through his legal knowledge and professional experience. His role demonstrated how professional expertise can be placed at the service of the community and those in need.

Sardar Mushtaq Gill and Pastor Imran Amanat extended their heartfelt condolences to Liaqat John’s family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones. They also called upon members of the Christian community and the legal fraternity to remember the bereaved family in their prayers during this difficult period of mourning.

The loss of Liaqat John has left a deep void among those who knew him. For his family, he was a beloved brother and cherished relative; for his colleagues, a trusted professional and sincere companion; and for the community, a dedicated advocate who willingly contributed his knowledge and abilities in the service of others.

His legacy will be remembered through the people he helped, the professional relationships he built, and the contribution he made to the work of LEAD Ministries and the wider Christian community.

At this time of sorrow, prayers are being offered for the eternal rest of Liaqat John and for divine comfort and strength for his grieving family.

May Almighty God grant eternal rest to the departed soul of Liaqat John and surround his family and loved ones with His peace, comfort, and strength.

Rest in peace, dear brother Liaqat John. Your life of service, your kindness, and your contribution to the community will not be forgotten. You will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A Mother’s Cry: Bring My Son Home — Alleged Forced Conversion of Christian Minor Sagar Masih Raises Alarm in Sheikhupura

SHEIKHUPURA, PAKISTAN — “Bring my son home.” Behind these words is the desperate cry of a Christian mother who says she has been separated from her teenage son, Sagar Masih, amid allegations that the minor was lured, pressured and forced to convert to Islam.

Sagar, reportedly 15 or 16 years old, was working at a factory in Sheikhupura when, according to his family, he became the target of persistent religious pressure. The family alleges that he was pressured to abandon his Christian faith and was forced to perform Islamic prayers five times a day before his alleged conversion.

The family is now demanding the safe return and protection of their son, as well as a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged conversion.

The case raises a fundamental question: Can a minor truly exercise freedom of religion if he is allegedly subjected to pressure and influence from adults in a workplace environment?

According to the family, when they approached the police, they were told that Sagar was now Muslim and that they could take the matter to court. The family alleges that Sagar had expressed a desire to return with them at the police station but was subsequently subjected to pressure to remain away from his family.

A Minor’s Safety Must Come First

If Sagar is indeed a minor, his age is a critical factor. Authorities should verify his age through official documentation and ensure that he is protected from intimidation, coercion or outside influence while his statement is recorded.

The teenager should be given an opportunity to speak privately and freely, without the presence or influence of individuals who may have an interest in the outcome.

The issue is not whether a person has the right to embrace Islam. Freedom of religion must also include the freedom to retain one’s faith and to make religious decisions without coercion, threats, manipulation or undue influence.

A Long-Standing Pattern of Workplace Pressure

The allegations surrounding Sagar Masih also bring attention to a long-standing pattern of economic and social vulnerability experienced by Christians in Pakistan. Since the country’s independence in 1947, many Christians have faced serious disadvantages in employment and economic opportunities, with large numbers working in brick kilns and other low-paid and difficult occupations. Over the decades, Christian workers have reportedly faced workplace pressure, social marginalization, and economic dependence, circumstances that can leave vulnerable families exposed to religious influence and coercion.

Christian advocates have long raised concerns that some Christians, particularly those working in brick kilns, have faced pressure to abandon their faith because of poverty, workplace dependency, and social disadvantage. There are also longstanding claims that some people from Christian backgrounds eventually converted to Islam and became part of communities commonly identified as Musali or Muslim Sheikh. Some estimates place the number of people from such backgrounds in the millions, although the exact figure remains difficult to establish.

For many Christian families, the issue is not simply religious belief but survival. When employment, housing, debt, and basic necessities depend upon those with greater economic or social power, refusing religious pressure can become extremely difficult. The alleged case of Sagar Masih therefore raises a broader concern: whether poverty, workplace dependence, and social vulnerability can be exploited to influence the religious choices of Christians, particularly children and young people.

Pastor Imran Amanat Calls for Justice

Pastor Imran Amanat, head of LEAD Ministries, has condemned the alleged incident and called upon authorities to protect Sagar and conduct a thorough and impartial investigation.

“Sagar is a young boy, and his safety must come first,” Amanat said, urging authorities to establish the truth through a transparent process.

He also appealed to Christians and people of goodwill to pray for Sagar’s family during their time of fear and uncertainty.

A Wider Concern for Pakistan’s Christians

Sagar’s case has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan. Religious pressure can become particularly serious when it intersects with economic dependence, employment and the influence of adults over vulnerable young people.

For Sagar’s family, however, the issue is painfully simple. They want their son safe. They want him protected from pressure. And they want the truth established through the law.

A credible investigation must rise above religious influence and ensure equal protection for every citizen.

Protect the child. Hear his voice freely. Establish the truth. Uphold the law. Deliver justice. For one Christian mother in Sheikhupura, the plea remains unmistakable: Bring my son home.