Accused of Blasphemy: Sawan Masih is in Police Custody as Christian Community Agonizes

Christians are feeling insecure in Pakistan and remain always under threats of a religious mindset, especially due to the misuse of blasphemy laws against them.

(LAHORE, Pakistan) - On March 9, 2013, an enraged Muslim mob of more than 3000 religious extremists set more than 150 houses on fire belonging to Bedami Bagh's Christians.

Almost every person condemned that brutal terrorist attack on Christians.

The Punjab and Federal governments have announced a sufficient fund for compensation and rehabilitation. Yet there are many who blame Punjab and some say the people behind this incident are land mafia. Some say this is a failure of police and the establishment.

According to a review of the first incident report (FIR) No 112/13, there is no mention or valid allegation of blasphemy or of the agitation of Muslims. The FIR registered Under Section 295 C PPC at the Bedami Bagh Police Stationin Lahore, executed the report hastily and without proper and fair investigation, as has happened in almost every blasphemy case.

Saleem Masih, Brother of Sawan Masih, said that his brother was innocent and he had not committed blasphemy.

His sister wept bitterly and asking about her brother who has a wife and 3 children. His wife is also worried and weeping about her husband and are the children who are asking about their father.

Sawan Masih's Father Chaman Masih, was also weeping while explaining this tragedy, and he says it should not be happened with his Christian (Sharika) relatives because he thinks they will taunt his children.

Christians are feeling insecure in Pakistan and remain always under threats of a religious mindset, especially due to the misuse of blasphemy laws against them. This tragedy created an alarming situation in Pakistani Christians. They are considering their new generation's future and their safety. They say their homes are being constructed but wonder who will construct their broken, horrified, terrified minds and hearts.

The solution to this tense situation, is for the government to allow the demand of a separate province for Pakistani Christians as the Pakistan Christian Congress has been demanding for the last 20 years. This notion of a separate province is as important as the presence of Christians in Pakistan.

This is not due to only political matters but this is due to clash of faith. The difference is only that Muslims have a right to say whatever they wish to say and preach, but Christians have no such right of religious liberty and expression of religion and thought and freedom to preach and teach according to Biblical Faith.

LEAD (Legal Evangelical Association Development) and PCC (Pakistan Christian Congress) request all Christian political, religious and civil society leaders to raise their voice with Pakistan Christian Congress for separate province for Christians,where we can live without fear of majority's faith and concepts.