Lahore, March 8, 2024 - In a distressing development from Sialkot, Rozina Bashir Masih, the widow of the late Bashir Masih, has come forward seeking justice and support in the face of daunting challenges. The case revolves around the tragic and controversial death of Bashir Masih while in police custody, an incident that has since spiralled into a broader confrontation involving threats and intimidation against his bereaved family.
Bashir Masih, a resident of Zafar Wali in Sambrial, was a hardworking rickshaw and school bus driver, striving to provide for his family of five children and his wife. On September 17, 2022, his life took a tragic turn when he was arrested under unclear circumstances by Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Ghulam Murtaza and Police Constable Azmat Ali. The arrest, made around 7:30 am, occurred right after Bashir dropped off school students and failed to return home for breakfast, a deviation from his routine that raised immediate concern in his family.
In the hours following his arrest, the situation escalated as Bashir was subjected to what is alleged to be severe police brutality. His family, desperate for information, was met with evasion and denial when they approached the police station. It wasn't until later that evening, in a shocking revelation, that Bashir Masih’s body was transported to a local hospital for an autopsy. Unbeknownst to his family, he had been listed as a victim without next of kin, and preparations for a state-funded burial had begun. However, a timely intervention by an acquaintance at the hospital alerted the family to the grim reality of Bashir's demise.
The aftermath of Bashir Masih’s death saw a surge of communal unrest. The local Christian community in Zafar Wali, deeply aggrieved by the incident, rallied in protest against the police's actions, blocking roads and demanding justice. This public outcry prompted the District Police Officer (DPO) Faisal Kamran to suspend the involved officers, SHO, ASI Murtaza, and PC Ali.
In the early hours of September 18, 2022, Rozina Bashir Masih, amid her grief, filed a First Information Report (FIR No. 3141/22), charging the two officers with joint enterprise and murder under sections 34 and 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code. This legal move led to the arrest of ASI Murtaza and PC Ali, with Superintendent Zia Ullah appointed to lead the investigation.
Over a year since the incident, Rozina Bashir Masih continues to fight for justice in a case mired in complexity and danger. She alleges ongoing pressure from the accused and other police associates to withdraw the case, offering money and threatening further consequences if she persists. Her refusal to succumb to these threats has placed her and her family in a precarious position, underscoring the challenges faced by minority communities in legal struggles against powerful adversaries.
Amidst this turmoil, Rozina Bashir Masih has reached out to prominent figures for support, including Chief Justice Qazi Faez Essa, IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar, CM Punjab Mariam Nawaz, and PM Shahbaz Sharif. Her appeals underscore the desperate need for attention to her husband’s case and the broader issues of police accountability and minority protection in Pakistan.
This case is not just a personal tragedy for the Masih family but a stark reminder of the systemic issues within the law enforcement and judicial systems. It raises critical questions about the safeguards for minority communities and the mechanisms for redressal in instances of alleged police brutality.
As Rozina Bashir Masih stands firm in her quest for justice, her plight resonates with countless others who seek accountability and reform. It’s a sobering reflection on the state of minority rights and the ongoing struggle for equity and justice in Pakistan's legal framework.