LAHORE, 6 October 2026: The Edge Foundation has helped secure the release of Maqsood Masih, a Christian father of four who says he spent years trapped by debt, working for low wages and facing restrictions on attending church, visiting his family and resting during illness.
The Lahore High Court ordered his release on 6 October after our legal intervention.
Maqsood, from Village Varuan in Sheikhupura district, had worked for a landowner identified as H. Gujjar for approximately 12 years. He tended fields and cared for livestock at the landowner’s farmhouse. His wife, Shahnaz Bibi, said he was expected to remain available around the clock, with little opportunity for a normal family life.
A loan that became a trap
About four years after Maqsood began working for the landowner, the family borrowed Rs200,000 to build a room on their own land. Repayments were deducted from his salary.
But Maqsood said that, despite approximately eight years of deductions, the amount he was told he owed increased rather than declined. He alleged that threats and demands for repayment prevented him from leaving the employment.
Maqsood reported earning Rs12,000 a month. Shahnaz said his wages later rose to approximately Rs15,000, supplemented by milk and wheat. The family continued to struggle, and their two sons and two daughters helped her work in vegetable fields to meet basic household needs.
Restrictions on worship and family life
According to Maqsood, he was denied leave to attend church, participate in religious ceremonies and visit relatives. When he attempted to attend a close family member’s funeral, people allegedly associated with the landowner followed him and instructed him to return to work.
He said he was also required to continue working when ill. Although medicine was provided, he was not allowed sufficient rest. Shahnaz described two occasions when he became seriously ill but was given inadequate time to recover.
Even visits home were interrupted by repeated calls pressuring him to return to the farmhouse, she said.
Legal intervention secured his release
After unsuccessfully seeking help from other landowners and members of Gujjar’s family, Shahnaz approached The Edge Foundation on 25 September.
We arranged free legal representation through Advocate Sohail Shahid Gill, who filed a petition before the Lahore High Court on 28 September. The following day, Justice Sadiq Mahmud Khurram directed the relevant police officer to produce Maqsood before the court on 6 October.
Police brought Maqsood to the hearing as directed. After he told the judge that he no longer wished to continue the employment, the court ordered his release.
Maqsood and Shahnaz subsequently visited our office to thank the team for helping him regain his freedom.
Challenging exploitation through legal assistance
This year, The Edge Foundation has also helped secure the release of at least five other Christian workers and their families from alleged forced labour arrangements. Poverty, disputed debts and fear of retaliation had left these families with little hope of freedom without outside assistance.
Maqsood’s release demonstrates the difference access to legal representation can make. His allegations also raise serious concerns about debt bondage, excessive working hours and restrictions on movement, worship and family life.
The Edge Foundation continues to provide free legal assistance to vulnerable workers and families seeking protection from coercion and exploitation.