In an echo of Asia Bibi’s case, a 22-year-old farm worker has been murdered after washing with water from a Muslim’s well.

Martyred Saleem Masih lies in agony on his arrival in hospital, where he succumbed to his torture injuries 
Martyred Saleem Masih lies in agony on his arrival in hospital, where he succumbed to his torture injuries (BPCA)

Pakistani Christian Saleem Masih died on 28 February, three days after he was tortured by other farm labourers on the orders of a Muslim cattle farm owner.

Saleem had rinsed himself in water pumped from the well after unloading husks from a vehicle. The enraged farm owner accused Saleem of “polluting” the water at Baguyana, a village in Kasur district, Punjab province.

Calling Saleem a “chuhra” (a term of derision commonly taken to mean latrine cleaner) and a “filthy Christian”, the farm owner ordered his men to tie Saleem’s hands and chain his feet before they tortured him with sticks and heated iron rods. They rolled a heavy iron rod over Saleem’s body, causing multiple fractures and internal injuries.

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