A young Christian farm worker, Tanveer Masih, was violently beaten by his employer in Bambanwala, Sialkot for arriving late to feed cattle.
He suffered serious head, back injuries and a fractured index finger, requiring a week of medical treatment.
Local police allegedly refused to register his case and pressured the family to compromise with the attacker.
The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) visited, provided financial aid, and continues to support his recovery and legal pursuit.
Brutal assault on vulnerable Christian worker sparks concern in Sialkot
On 18 January, a deeply disturbing case emerged from village Bambanwala in Sialkot, where 24-year-old Christian farm worker Tanveer Masih was subjected to a violent assault by his Muslim employer after arriving late to feed cattle at a private farm (click here).
Tanveer, who has lived with an intellectual disability since childhood, was left severely injured in the attack. He sustained serious injuries to his head and back, as well as a fractured index finger on his left hand. The severity of the beating left him unable to walk and traumatised.
He was taken to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Daska, where he received only initial treatment and was not admitted for further care. The situation worsened when the family faced significant obstacles in seeking justice. According to reports, police officials failed to assist in obtaining a medico-legal certificate and instead delayed and redirected the family through procedural hurdles.
When Tanveer’s relatives attempted to file a complaint at Bambanwala Police Station, officers allegedly refused to register the case and pressured the family to “compromise” with the accused, who is said to have had influence locally.
BACA intervention and medical support
A team from the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) later visited Tanveer at hospital and, with the help of local leader Rana Aleem, successfully secured the medico-legal certificate. BACA also provided financial assistance to help cover medical treatment and medication costs during his recovery.
After a week of treatment, Tanveer was discharged and returned home to his village. However, his recovery has been hampered by extreme poverty. He lives with his mother Bashiran Bibi, his elder brother Babar Masih (28), and sister Nabila Bibi (30), in a single-room home with a mud roof, no washroom, and only a hand pump for water.
Continued hardship and second visit
On 04 February 2026, BACA revisited Tanveer and his family after learning they were unable to afford ongoing basic groceries due to his loss of work The conditions were described as deeply distressing, with the family surviving on minimal income from selling miswak (teeth cleaning sticks).
During the visit, BACA provided a £100 financial gift to support the families loss of income
Nadeem Masih, Tanveer’s cousin, expressed gratitude for the organisation’s continued assistance, stating:
“I am deeply grateful to BACA for their support in helping Tanveer Masih . Our family has no steady source of income and survives only on the very small earnings my brother Babar makes from selling miswak.”
He also shared that the accused, Jibran Cheema, had reportedly agreed to pay Rs. 200,000 (£532) as part of a compromise, though no payment has yet been made to the family.
Legal follow-up
In response, BACA has engaged local legal support through lawyer Rana Aleem to ensure the agreed compensation is pursued and that Tanveer Masih’s case is properly followed through within the justice system.
The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the vulnerability of impoverished Christian labourers in rural Pakistan, as well as barriers to justice and protection when violence occurs.
Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee for British Asian Christian Associtaion, said:
“We recognise that pursuing this matter through the courts would likely be a long, costly and uncertain process, with no guarantee that adequate compensation would be awarded to the family, despite the severe financial hardship they have already endured through medical expenses and loss of income. BACA has already stepped in to cover all immediate past losses, and we have now engaged a solicitor to ensure that the agreed compensation is honoured and paid to the family. Ensuring that such agreements are properly enforced is essential in holding perpetrators to account and discouraging repeat acts of violence that leave vulnerable families further impoverished.”
You can support the essential humanitarian and advocacy work of the British Asian Christian Association by making a donation (here).
We provide practical relief and long-term support to Christians across South and South East Asia who are facing persecution, natural disasters, and extreme vulnerability. This includes helping families rebuild their lives after displacement, supporting survivors of sexual violence, and offering protection and legal assistance to those accused under abusive blasphemy laws.
We also work closely with Christian communities and church leaders in India who are facing increasing pressure and intimidation under restrictive anti-conversion legislation, advocating for their rights and ensuring their voices are heard.
