Another Blasphemy Case Registered... Christians Are Under Threat

The accused in the blasphemy case is under police custody and World Vision in Progress – WVIP is handling legal matters.

Courtesy: ahmadiyyatimes.blogspot.com

(ISLAMABAD) - On October 29, we celebrated our wedding anniversary. After the celebration, lying in bed on a lazy autumn late evening, something dark and nasty reached out to me, my cell phone ringing.

One of my friends was on the line, they said that there is another blasphemy case in Wazirabad Gujranwala, the situation is tense there. I made a call to the local police officer, Sami Ullah, the Station House Officer (SHO), who told me details and confirmed that there is an incident and administration is on the ground looking into the matter.

With a Muslim majority, the country’s Christian population is quite small. Even though Pakistan is a democratic country, Christians are considered second class citizens especially in remote areas. Discrimination limits their work prospects and their influence in the country’s political and cultural matters.

Tariq Yousaf earns his livings by making firecrackers in Wazirabad Gujranwala. Wazirabad is famous for its cutlery items and Tariq works in a cutlery factory for a low salary and also works another job part time to make ends meet.

On October 27, Khurram, the complainant, bought a few firecrackers from Tariq and said he found Islamic verses in the product. He called on Tariq and reportedly beat him severely but with the intervention of the local elders, the issue was resolved temporarily. Later Khurram went to the police station and registered the First Investigation Report FIR No. 533/12 in Sadar Police Station, Wazirabad. (Copy below).

Later on Friday, November 01, the situation became tense again, but with the help of the local administration, situation remained under control. Fazal –e- Haq, Assistant Superintendent Police - ASP and Sami Ullah– SHO with police squad remained there till late hours. Christian leadership was also there to look into the matter.

According to Farrukh H Saif, accused of the blasphemy case are under police custody and World Vision in Progress – WVIP is handling the legal matters of the case.