Thursday March 28, 2024
SNc Channels:

Search
About Salem-News.com

 

Nov-10-2013 15:40printcomments

Blasphemy Cases Against Christians in Pakistan: Alarming and Pitiful

Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill, National Director of LEAD wants the law abolished.

Pakistan flag

(LAHORE) - On 9 October, 2013 a blasphemy case FIR No.675/2013 under sections 295 A, 295 B and 295 C PPC was registered at Police Station Township by nominating three Christians. The pre-arrest bail of Pastor Adnan, 26 was filled on 26 October, 2013 in the court of Additional and Sessions Judge Khizar Hayat Khan and was fixed for final arguments for 6 November, 2013 but the petitioned was withdrawn without arguing the case.

The Police had arrested Mushtaq Masih, the owner of the shop, who was innocent but his name was mentioned in the FIR (First Incident Report). Arfan Masih, the brother of Pastor Adnan, was also arrested as his name was also mentioned in the FIR, but he was also innocent. The third man Kamran, the Uncle of Pastor Adnan, was also under police custody which was illegal. So there was much pressure from Mushtaq Masih's side and due to under police custody of other innocent members of Adnan's family, Pastor Adnan surrendered himself to Police and on Thursday November 7 he was sent to judicial lockup by Judicial Magistrate Muzamil Ahmed Khan.

The good news is that the police set free innocent Mushtaq, Arfan and Kamran who has suffered nearly a month in police custody.

"We think it is not wise decision of Masih to surrender in Police custody because it is too hard to prove him innocent in trial court as there is a documentary evidence against him" said Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill.

"And the accuser stated to Police that the both his employer, Mushtaq Masih and Arfan Masih are innocent and they have no role in committing the blasphemy offences so the police at last has to set them free", added Gill.

Other Blasphemy case:

The other blasphemy case FIR No.678/2013 under Sections 295 A,295 B,295 C PPC and 25/D Telegraph Act was registered at Police Station Green Town on October 2,2013 against Asif Pervaiz. He was kept in a special cell at Camp Jail in Lahore. The bail petition of Asif Pervaiz has been filled in the session court Lahore and fixed for 11 November for final arguments.

Third Blasphemy case:

On 27 October,2013 third blasphemy case FIR No. 533/13 registered at Sadar Police Station, Wazirabad against two brothers Tariq Masih and Arif Masih under section 295 B PPC on the complaint of Muhammad Khuram, in which Arif Masih was arrested but Tariq Masih remains in hiding. Police and Islamic extremists are involved in the hunt for Masih who is accused of ‘Blasphemy’. The bail petition has been filed in which next date of hearing is 23 November, 2013.

Forgotten story of Asia Bibi death convicted under 'Blasphemy'

Salmaan Taseer and Shahbaz Bhatti. Photo: humanrightsfirst.org

In accordance with the details, Asia Bibi was convicted for blasphemy yet the evidence provided was contradictory. Seeing the doubtful inconsistency in the case the court may annul the death sentence awarded to her previously if she is otherwise not acquitted from the charges.

Asia Bibi was predominantly supported by Salmaan Taseer and Shahbaz Bhatti. Both of them were assassinated for the the very reason of advocating her cause. She has been withering in jail since June 2009 after her allegedly blasphemous utterances came after a quarrel with some Muslim co-workers who had refused to drink water from the same glass as her owing to the fact that she was a Christian.

Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill, National Director of LEAD wants the law abolished.

"It was designed as an instrument of persecution," said Gill "It is discriminatory and abusive law."

We request all our brothers and sisters to stand with us in prayers so that the sword of blasphemy laws be taken away from religious minorities in Pakistan.

In Solidarity,

LEAD

________________________________________

_________________________________________




Comments Leave a comment on this story.
Name:

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.



Dexter November 10, 2013 7:32 pm (Pacific time)

It's always been like that. it's only recently that people have taken notice on religious "clashes" due to the on going drama in Pakistan recently .

[Return to Top]
©2024 Salem-News.com. All opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Salem-News.com.


Articles for November 9, 2013 | Articles for November 10, 2013 | Articles for November 11, 2013
The NAACP of the Willamette Valley

Support
Salem-News.com:

Click here for all of William's articles and letters.

Special Section: Truth telling news about marijuana related issues and events.


googlec507860f6901db00.html