Islamabad, March 7 (NationPress) - A Christian worker from the minority community in Punjab, Pakistan, was reportedly subjected to torture by his Muslim employers, who then attempted to make the murder appear as a suicide by hanging. This shocking allegation comes from the victim's younger brother, as reported on Saturday.

The deceased, 21-year-old Marcus Masih, had been employed for five years at a cattle farm owned by Muhammad Mohsin Kharal and Muhammad Basharat Kharal in the Sargodha district of Punjab.

Dilshad Masih, Marcus's brother, stated that on the morning of March 4, Basharat contacted him to inform him that Marcus had hanged himself from a cattle shed ceiling, according to Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.

“Upon arriving in the village, my relatives and I discovered Marcus’s body hanging there. They claimed ignorance regarding his motives for such an act,” Dilshad recounted.

Suspicion arose when the family received the body back after a post-mortem examination. They reported that lawyers associated with the Muslim employers pressured them into signing a blank sheet of paper, claiming it was necessary for the autopsy.

“In our state of shock and grief, we didn’t question them initially. However, upon receiving Marcus’s body, we observed numerous bruises and burn marks, leading us to conclude he had been tortured,” he explained.

The incident sparked outrage as dozens of Christians protested, placing Marcus's body on a major highway and blocking traffic, demanding the filing of a criminal case. Following the demonstration, police registered a First Information Report (FIR), according to Dilshad.

Asher Adeel, a human rights advocate from Sargodha, condemned the murder, calling for a thorough investigation. “The injuries are indicative of severe torture. If these allegations hold true, the perpetrators not only committed murder but also attempted to cover it up as a suicide while coercing the family into signing blank documents. It is crucial that authorities ensure accountability,” Adeel stated.

Dilshad noted that the family is actively seeking legal assistance and has called on provincial authorities to carry out a fair investigation. “All we want is the truth. My brother deserves justice,” he emphasized.

According to Christian rights organizations, this case exemplifies the broader challenges faced by religious minorities in rural Pakistan, where economically disadvantaged Christians often find work in low-paying, informal jobs under the authority of powerful landowners.