Blasphemy Suspect Acquitted, Gunned Down in Jehlum

We appeal to our brothers and sisters to pray for Younis Masih 's safety, Asia's acquittal and their safe relocation. We further appeal to pray for all who are suffering in different Pakistani jails under allegation of blasphemy law.

Sharafat Gola told police that his brother - Ashraf Gola, a former chairman of a district council - was travelling along with a friend when killed by gunfire. Photo: leadfamily.blogspot.com

(PUNJAB, Pakistan) - News agencies are carrying the shocking news about how a person acquitted on a Blasphemy charge, Ashraf Gola, was gunned down near Pind Dadan Khan, some 250 kilometres from Lahore by an unidentified men. Ashraf Gola died, along with a friend, Iftikhar Ahmed in a car while they were travelling.

Sharafat Gola told police that his brother, Ashraf Gola, received threats of dire consequences after acquittal from blasphemy.

Police have registered a case against the unidentified killers. The incident highlights how those accused of blasphemy are not safe in Pakistan even after being acquitted.

Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill, a Human Rights Defender, said Pakistan's blasphemy law is often misused to settle personal scores and grudges specially against the weaker minority (Christians) of Pakistan.

Younis Masih

Last year in April, Younis Masih was acquitted of blasphemy, after languishing in jail since his arrest on 10 September 2005. He was declared innocent by Lahore High Court by the DB of Justice Khaja Amtiaz Ahmed and Justice Khalid Mehmood Khan.

Masih had suffered a heart attack on 8 January 2013 and he is still a heart patient. Masih said that he is still getting threats of dire consequences and once was attacked by some unidentified men.

Asia Bibi

Asia Bibi, the Christian mother of 5, convicted under the law of blasphemy in 2010, remains on death row in Pakistan and a cleric in Peshawar had offered a reward of 5,000 euro to anyone who kills her.

For now, the uphill struggle continues, the Pakistani court has reopened her appeal against the blasphemy conviction and death sentence which is fixed for 26 March, 2014 in The DB (Double Bench) of Lahore High Court Lahore.

“We are hoping for the best for Asia Bibi. However, her life will be in danger anyway, as soldiers will try to kill her if she is freed”, said Gill. "We also have the examples of two brothers, Rashid Emmanuel and Sajid Masih Emmanuel, both Christians accused of blasphemy, killed in cold-blood in front of the Court of Faisalabad, during their hearings, in July 2010."

We appeal to our brothers and sisters to pray for Younis Masih 's safety, Asia's acquittal and their safe relocation. We further appeal to pray for all who are suffering in different Pakistani jails under allegation of blasphemy law.

In Solidarity,

LEAD

http://leadfamily.blogspot.com/