Immobile due to the brutal torture at the hands of police son Khurram could not attend his father’s funeral or wake.
Liaquat Masih became the fourth Christian man to die under suspicious circumstances whilst being held in police custody in Pakistan, on 13th January
2016. Read full story (click here)
BPCA had coordinated with the family of Liaquat Maish to send our volunteers help with his burial today (16th January) however in an unfortunate twist
of fate, the family of Liaquat Masih (RIP) were forced to hold a funeral last night under duress from local police. The BPCA received a call at 7pm
on the evening of 15th January, during which Liaquat’s wife rubina advised us that after we left them at around 6pm police officers started to pressurise
the wife to bury the body immediately, despite the family being unable to pay for the shroud, digging and purchase of burial ground.
After borrowing money from family and local villagers Rubina was able to pay for the necessary funeral costs and hurriedly buried Liaquat at around
10pm at night in pitch black darkness. Few friends and relatives were around to support the family through the emotionally draining experience which
also prevented them paying their last respects by normal tradition, removing the cathartic healing process intrinsic to such events.
Today distraught family members and friends arrived at Rubina’s house and were simply flabbergasted and enraged, yet they have no recourse to complain
under the threatening shadow of police harassment.
Rubina said:
“My life seems so worthless, I have lost my husband the man who has supported my existence for so long with great love. How have I repaid that love by burying him in secret as if he was a criminal. He was an honest man that brought great joy to my life and I will mourn this loss for the rest of my life. My children have had to suffer the ignominy of his false arrest, murder and now this. Even when he is dead the local police simply want to demean his life, one day they will have to answer to God for their crimes, while Liaquat will be with our heavenly father. Only then will they realise the impact of their actions. I thank God that I know one day I will see Liaquat again he was a Godly man and our merciful father will take care of him in my place to Him be praise.”
Mourners filled the tent where his body would have been displayed for a last time today. Many called for a further protest but Rubina calmed visitors saying further attacks could be expected by Police for such an intervention and that it would be better to honour Liaquat’s life through rejoicing in the memory of the wonderful man who had become a victim of circumstance. Fortunately her emotional plea brought peace to the agitated throng of visitors.
BPCA officer Naveed Gill visited the family today and gifted them with two months supply of food and spent time consoling and counselling them. The family are in desperate need of compensation for the funeral costs and we have agreed to pay this cost for them. The cost of the funeral was £250. The family have also asked to help with the legal costs for fighting the legal battle to exonerate the eldest son Khurram who was also jailed and tortured. The severity of his wounds have made him unable to walk and the poor bedridden patient has had to miss his father’s funeral and wake. Khurram spoke to BPCA officer Naveed Gill, he said:
“I was beaten daily since my arrest five days ago. When they could not get a confession out of my father I was arrested and tortured in hope they could eke out a confession from dad. The bones in my legs have been shattered form the force of the lathi (baton) and this was during only four days. I hate to think about what happened to dad, he was much older then me and must of been in real pain. When my father discovered my arrest he demanded they release me he asked them to beat him not me. He asked why they were enacted such violence on innocent poor people On the day he died I saw them hang him by his arms behind his back which dislocated them, they them beat him with sticks. I cannot remove this painful image from my memory and I keep having nightmares about it. I just want my father back but that will not happen and this fills me with great anger and deep sorrow.”
Khurram has advised us that during the beatings in the cell the Senior House Officer was present and Raza Hameed, who egged on the police to brutality,
seeking Liaquat’s confession.
Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the BPCA, said:
“Pressuring the wife of Liaquat to bury her husband who has allegedly been killed through their own brutality, is a new low even for the Police authorities of Pakistan. My officers tell me that Rubina called them in a hysterical state, simply alarmed by the additional trauma enacted by police harassment. We advised waiting till we arrived the following morning but the family decided to proceed for their own safety, understandably so. Such harassment reeks of self preservation, which in a country that is overrun by corruption and has little appetite for change is something we have all come to expect. Nevertheless, this spineless act of bullying only serves to remind us that we must all redouble our efforts to help the voiceless Christians of Pakistan.”
We hope help this family with legal costs for the dropping of charges against Khurram we need to raise £400, and to raise the £250 we have committed
to the funeral. We are also looking to cover the study costs for the younger children which will require donors willing to pay fees of £30 per
child for the longevity of their studies .
If you would like to contribute towards our appeal our bank details, pay pal/visa payment facility can be found (here)
The BPCA wreath were the solitary flowers laid on the grave of Liaquat Masih.
Hundreds arrived to pay their respects to a lost brother.
Mourners remembered their devout Christian brother.
Officer Naveed Gill by the BPCA wreath of flowers at Liaquat’s burial place.