Christian Couple Arrested in Gojra in Blasphemy Case

The petitioner says a blasphemous text was sent to him from a mobile number.

Gojra, Pakistan photo: asianews.it

(ISLAMABAD) - Sajjad Masih was convicted in a blasphemy case and sent to jail for life, and hardly a week later, another blasphemy case is registered against a Christian couple in Gojra, a city in Punjab province.

According to sources, Shafaqat Masih 35, and his wife Shagufta Bibi, whose age was not available, were arrested under an allegation of blasphemy, but there seems to be some question over the First Investigation Report (FIR) No. 407/13 in Gojra City.

Gojra is religiously sensitive, having witnessed massive attacks on Christians triggered by reports of desecration of the Holy Qur'an. Eight family members were burnt alive and about forty houses and a Church were set ablaze by a mob in August, 2009. Now again it seems that it is under threat.

The petitioner, Rana Mohammad Fiaz, said that a blasphemous text was sent to him from a mobile number. Police found the SIM card and arrested the couple.

Ms. Shagufta works at the local school and takes care of her two teens and her husband, who is crippled.

As soon as I heard the incident, I requested that World Vision in Progress – WVIP go there at once to take care of the kids. On my humble request, WVIP management has sent its official to look into the matter.

Basharat Khokhar, the activist in the case involving a girl named Rimsha that was followed worldwide, has condemned the incident and urges the administration to take the preventive measures accordingly.

The local administration says they are taking this sensitive issue seriously.

About Shamim Masih

"I am Christian rights activist and freelancer Pakistani journalist specializing in writing about Christians rights for the different papers in the world. My aim is to create a peaceful environment in the society and to help eliminate Christian persecution through my writing as I bring the plight of these brave people under the spotlight of the whole world."

Shamim Masih was born in Sheikhopura's village and raised in Gujranwala, a city in Pakistan's Punjab province. He earned his Bachelors Degree from the University of the Punjab, Lahore majoring in English, Economics and Statistics; he also received a Masters Degree in Business Administration.

As a freelance writer and author, Shamim has written for different papers in the world; his expertise is in writing articles highlighting different social issues. He has served as freelance chief reporter and column writer in “Minority Times” in Islamabad, and a number of Shamim's articles have been published in local papers as well.

You can write to Shamim at this address: shamimpakistan@gmail.com