Foreigner frees Pakistani family from 130 years of bonded labour by paying off their debt, netizens left teary-eyed

As much as the world has developed and moved forward, for those with a lack of resources and access to power, freedom is an enigmatic concept. As many say, the rule of law only applies to the poor and many families to date remain trapped in the trenches of exploitative systems such as bonded labour. Only because the government they trusted is far from worried about them, and society couldn't care less about what's going on outside the internet.

In an eye-opening incident that happened in Pakistan, a foreigner freed a family from 130 years of bonded labour by paying off their debt. In the Kasur area of Punjab, Pakistan, a family was reportedly trapped in bonded labour at brick kilns for four generations. They had not been able to pay up the peshki, the loan their ancestors took and thus had been working without pay for years.

Aaron Hutchings, the man, is a part of Jubilee Campaign, which holds the slogan of 'End Slavery Now'. He took to Instagram to share the video of freeing the family, writing the caption: "Day 5 (2nd family) - WARNING (tear-jerker moment) - This is what happened when we first walked over to them. I think they knew they were going to be freed."

According to its website, the campaign promotes the human rights and religious liberty of ethnic and religious minorities around the world. The campaign is currently active in the US, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran and Egypt and targets forms of slavery including sex trafficking and forced labour.

Social media reactions

The emotional video quickly gained traction online with viewers appreciating Hutching's initiative and help for the family which can now live freely.

"Why is the practice of 'bonded labour' allowed in Pakistan in the first place?" wrote a user on X (formerly Twitter).

"This made me cry," added another.

"You are an amazing human, may god bless you and your family with loads of happiness and joy" commended one.

"Thank you so much for doing this for my people. I hope I can save enough one day to free at least one slave inshAllah," a user commented on Instagram.