One worker tortured to death; 5 die from poisonous gases

LAHORE, Pakistan – A Catholic factory worker was tortured to death in Pakistan and five Christian garbage workers died from poisonous gases because they did not wear protective equipment.

In Pakistan, it is not uncommon for Christians to be employed as cleaners and sent into dangerous situations without protective equipment, human rights activists told Christian Daily International and Morning Star News.

On June 11, two Christians died in Sindh province and on June 12, three Christians died in Punjab province as a result of poisonous gases. Another person who died in the Sindh tragedy was a Hindu.

Critical condition

A Christian worker in Punjab province is in critical condition.

According to intelligence services, all men were sent into dangerous situations without appropriate protective equipment.

In another case, Waqas Salamat was tortured to death on June 6 in Lahore by a Muslim factory owner, his son and three Muslim workers after a factory owner accused Salamat of theft, his mother said.

She told news services that her family offered to pay compensation despite knowing Salamat was innocent. Instead of accepting the offer, the Muslims beat and shocked Salamat until he collapsed.

Pakistan ranks 7th on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places for Christians.