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Christian teenager sexually abused, murdered in Pakistan; Found hanging from tree

The body of a 14-year-old boy was found hanging from a tree in Faisalabad, Pakistan, after he was abused and murdered. Authorities claim that Zeeshan Masih died of a heart attack but the medical report states that the cause of death points to sexual abuse.

Faisalabad, Pakistan | Wikimedia Commons/Minhajian

According to the report by the British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA), Masih visited his uncle's farm at Shreejan Wala Dhera on Aug. 23. The boy reportedly went out to buy a drink but never returned. His body was later found hanging from a tree not far from where his uncle's buffalos graze.

Saleem Warraich, Deputy Superintendent of Sadar Police, claimed that the cause of death was a heart attack triggered by the boy's carbonated drink after he ate a fruit. The report obtained by BPCA indicated signs of sodomy.

Authorities have agreed to file a First Incident Report (FIR) after pressure from BPCA and other Christian groups. Warraich promised to file the FIR after the DNA report is received.

"This family is deeply traumatized," said Kanwal Amar, lead reporter for the BPCA. "They have lost a son to an extremely heinous crime and the chance for them to get justice is limited. The manner in which police officers have attempted to camouflage this crime has hurt and angered them. They are calling for an independent inquiry into the handling of their son's death," he added.

The BPCA promised to help the family with the cost of Masih's funeral. The group is also asking for donations to pay for a legal advisor who will make sure that the police will investigate the murder properly.

Wilson Chowdhry, the chairman of the BPCA, asserted that Pakistani Christians and other minorities are targeted because of their perceived status as second-class citizens.

"Christians and other minorities are a natural target as they are disenfranchised by the country's laws and statutes, which confer second-class citizenship upon them," Chowdhry stated. "Christians are poor, illiterate and hold a pariah status culminating in an ineffectual response from statutory authorities when help is needed, who deem them worthless," he added.

Earlier this week, seven Christians were allegedly tortured by drunk Muslim men in Faisalabad for unknown reasons. The police are reportedly reluctant to file an FIR regarding the incident.