Shahkot, Punjab — The harrowing reality of bonded labor and modern-day slavery continues to plague Pakistan’s Christian minority, as one family’s tragedy exposes systemic exploitation and the failure of law enforcement to protect vulnerable citizens.
Imran Masih, a Christian laborer from Chak No. 93 RB, Chatti Jaranwala, near Shahkot, has been abducted and forced into bonded labor by a powerful brick kiln owner. His wife, Gulnaz Imran, a mother of five young children, has publicly appealed for help, stating that her husband is being unlawfully detained and subjected to inhumane labor conditions.
The family reports that Imran Masih fell seriously ill, forcing them to borrow money from the kiln owner for medical treatment. In exchange, they were compelled to work under grueling conditions for wages far below the legally mandated minimum. When the family returned to their village after struggling under these exploitative arrangements, the kiln owner forcibly took Imran Masih, leaving his family desperate and without recourse.
“My children cry for their father every day,” Gulnaz Imran said. “We are poor and Christian. There is no one to protect us. They treat my husband like an animal, not a human being.”
Bonded labor remains widespread in Pakistan, particularly in the brick kiln industry, despite being illegal under national law. Families, especially Christian laborers, are trapped through high-interest loans, manipulated accounts, and intimidation, effectively turning poverty into lifelong slavery. Powerful kiln owners often operate with impunity, while law enforcement routinely ignores complaints. FIRs are delayed or dismissed, and victims are left defenseless. This systemic failure allows the enslavement of marginalized communities to continue unchecked.
Pastor Imran Amanat, leader of LEAD Ministries, condemned the ongoing exploitation and called for the immediate recovery of Imran Masih.
“This is not a dispute or allegation—this is slavery,” Pastor Amanat said. “The law is clear, yet it is not enforced. Authorities must act immediately to recover Imran Masih and hold the perpetrators accountable.”
Sardar Mushtaq Gill, founder of LEAD Ministries, emphasized:
“As one body in Christ, we must rise together to protect and empower the coming generation. Education is their shield and strength, and we must pursue it relentlessly. At the same time, we cannot remain silent while our brothers and sisters are enslaved—freedom for all bonded laborers must be secured, no matter the cost.”
He also urged Christian leadership, human rights organizations, and the international community to provide every possible form of support to the family, including legal assistance, advocacy, and emergency relief.
This case highlights a broader issue of systematic persecution against Christians in rural Pakistan, where influential employers operate above the law and vulnerable families live in constant fear. Human rights defenders warn that if immediate action is not taken, bonded labor will continue to ensnare Christians and other minorities, with little hope of relief.
As Imran Masih remains in captivity, his wife and five children wait anxiously, demanding nothing more than the rights guaranteed to all citizens: freedom, dignity, and protection under the law.
LEAD Ministries is a leading organization dedicated to advocating for Christians and documenting cases of persecution at the global level. The ministry calls on churches, individual Christians, governments, and human rights organizations worldwide to stand in solidarity, support its mission, and help protect vulnerable communities from oppression, bonded labor, and discrimination.
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