28/04/2022
"The Youngest Pakistani Hero"
Iqbal Masih(1983-1995)
RIP Iqbal Masih born in 1983, sold into bonded Labour to a carpet weaving business. His father had borrowed money from the employer whom he worked for 12 hours on a daily basis.
He escaped when he was 10 but was caught and brought by the police (no other) to his native place. He, again he was sent to the carpet weaver. He escaped again and this time he joined bonded Labour liberation front of Pakistan. He worked with them to free children like himself and was successful in helping about 3000 children escape their bonded slavery.
He was murdered in 1995 at the age of 11 allegedly by the carpet mafia.
However his legacy lives on and the United States Labour department has an annual award in his honour.
The Iqbal Masih award unfortunately in his home country (Pakistan) has hardly any significance or awareness.
Here's to appreciating the angel who was strong and did more good in his short lifespan than most of us have ever done.
