A young Pakistani hero – Gone but never forgotten, Iqbal Masih

Iqbal Masih was born in 1983 in Pakistan. When he was only ten years old, his father solved him to the carpet weaving mafia. The father owed money to the employer and to get his debts cleared, he sold his son. Iqbal had a very tough life working in the carpet business. He worked for 12 hours every day. Upon examining his future, Iqbal knew that he had to escape. He was successful in running away when he was ten but he was caught by the police. The police brought him back to his hometown but nothing had changed. Iqbal was made to go to the carpet weaver again. After a few months he planned his escape again and this time was successful. He joined the Bonded Labour Liberation Front of Pakistan. He worked with them to free children like himself. He was successful in freeing about 3000 children.

Iqbal was shot dead in 1995 when he was only 11 years old. He was assassinated allegedly by the carpet mafia after he helped the Pakistani children escape their bonded slavery. He has been recognized all over the world for his efforts to make life better for children in Pakistan. Even at such a young age, he did what was right and died fighting for justice. He will always be remembered as the youngest Pakistani hero.