Modern-day slavery in Pakistan, particularly affecting the Christian community, is a persistent issue characterized by slavery and exploitation. Thousands of Christian families, often from impoverished backgrounds, are trapped in a cycle of debt and Slavery, especially in industries like brick kilns, where they endure harsh conditions with little hope for escape. Today, we are sharing the stories of the three Christian families our organization rescued in May 2024.

Shahzad Maish:

Shahzad Maish was born into a life of enslavement at a brick kiln, inheriting a substantial debt from his father, Rehmat Masih, after his death. This debt bound Shahzad to the kiln, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and forced labor. Shahzad married Parveen Bibi, who, along with her family, was also enslaved at the same kiln. Parveen endured sexual abuse by the kiln manager, and her parents arranged her marriage to Shahzad in hopes of providing her some protection.

The couple had four children, but their lives were severely restricted. They were prohibited from sending their children to school or leaving the kiln to attend church or family celebrations. This isolation and lack of freedom underscored the harsh conditions they faced daily.

In May 2024, we, the Emergency Committee to Save the Persecuted and Enslaved (ECSPE), intervened and rescued Shahzad, Parveen, and their children from the kiln. This rescue operation not only liberated them from their debt and enslavement but also provided them with a fresh start. Shahzad and Parveen were given respectable jobs, and their children were enrolled in school, marking a significant transformation in their lives.

Danial Maish:

Danial Masih’s story echoes the harsh realities faced by countless families trapped in kiln slavery. As a father of six, Danial endured grueling conditions that mirror the experiences like Parveen and Shahzad. The brick kiln industry in many parts of Pakistan is notorious for extending a cycle of debt bondage and exploitation that spans generations.

In these kilns, enslaved like Danial and his family face extreme physical hardship, working long hours in hazardous conditions. They are exposed to toxic fumes, extreme heat, and dust, leading to severe respiratory and other health problems. Children as young as five are often forced to work alongside their parents, sacrificing their education and childhood.

The payment system in these kilns is designed to keep workers indebted. Wages are withheld for entire seasons, sometimes up to ten months, forcing families to take loans for basic survival. This debt trap ensures that workers remain bonded to the kiln, unable to break free from the cycle of poverty and exploitation.

Danial and his family faced severely restricted freedom of movement; they were prohibited from leaving the kiln premises, attending religious services, or visiting family members. This isolation further entrenches their dependence on the kiln owners and managers.

Despite laws prohibiting bonded labor and child exploitation, enforcement remains weak, and the practice continues largely unchecked. Our organizations, ECSPE, provide a ray of hope for families like Danial’s, offering them a chance at freedom and dignity. Now, they are free and enjoying their freedom.

Raiz Maish:

Raiz Masih spent a lifetime working in the brick kilns, starting as a child and continuing into his 50s. He has three children from his second marriage to Tabita, whom he married 12 years ago after his first wife, Rahat Bibi, tragically committed suicide following a rape by the kiln owner a 20 ago. The harsh realities of kiln slavery have been a constant in Raiz’s life, characterized by grueling labor, meager wages, and severe restrictions on personal freedom.

Despite the backbreaking work, Raiz and his family received only minimal compensation, barely enough to survive. They were treated as slaves, with their movements strictly controlled. Attending church or visiting family members was prohibited, isolating them further and deepening their despair.

Raiz harbored a deep desire for a better future for his children, hoping they could escape the life of bondage that he and his wife endured. He often prayed for a savior to deliver them from their plight. His prayers were answered when we, the Emergency Committee to Save the Persecuted and Enslaved (ECSPE), intervened. We rescued Raiz and his family, providing them with a new house, better job opportunities, and access to education for their children.