Saturday, November 2, 2013

Two Pakistani Christians Brothers Booked in Blaspheme Case

Third Case of Blasphemy in One month ,Tariq Yousaf and Arif Yousaf have been falsely accused under blasphemy at Thatha Faqir Ullah, a Christian Colony, Wazirabad city, District Gujranwala, near Lahore, bearing FIR Number 533/13 in Sadar Police station Wazirabad. We [WVIP] were informed by one of our Friends and a Human Rights Activist, Khalid Shahzad, that there is a tensed situation in Wazirabad. The team of WVIP led by Advocate Salvance Jacob immediately left for Wazirabad along with Mr. Khalid Shahzad, where the relatives of Tariq and Arif requested us to provide legal assistance to both the accused. There was a fear and tension amongst the Christians of the village Fariq Ullah but our team of lawyers and Mr. Khaild Shahzed assured them that they will not let this village be like a Gojra or Joseph colony.
Fr. Tanveer john (Greek Orthodox Church) and brother Rehmat also encouraged the local people. The role of the Church was Extremely Positive. Police arrested Arif, however Tariq escaped. Later on Police arrested Waris Masih, another brother of Tariq yousaf. Arif and Waris both are working in Pakistan Railways, Whereas Tariq worked at Cutlery factory and in part time he used to make Firecrackers. Few days ago there was wedding in the village. Khurram Shahzed (Complainant of the FIR) bought some firecrackers from Tariq. According to Khurram “ the crackers didn’t crack and when i opened them I saw that the crackers were made with the Koranic Pages Which was also witnessed by Tajjamul Butt and Muhammad Waris “. Within no time they caught Tariq and beat him at the main road but some of the Muslims and Christians intervened and solved the issue through dialogues. Even the Complainant and other Muslims stated that they have forgiven him and further stated that if Tariq has done something wrong God will punish him. It is strange that even after settling the issue what made Khurram to register an FIR against Tariq and Arif after 4 days of the incident. There was a Rumor that after the Friday prayers there will be a strong reaction by the Muslim neighborhood. However with the wise step taken by the WVIP –Legal team and our Friend Khalid Shahzad we were able to submit the protection application for the Christian community of Thatha Fariq Uallah . Today, Since Morning our team was in action to safeguard and protect the tensed Christian Community. Station House Officer Sami-Ullah Khan and ASP Fazal-e-Haq played a Positive role in safe-guarding the Christian community. Our Legal Head Advocate Salvance Jacob, who was leading the WVIP team in Fariq-Uallah informed us that the Station House Office and the Imam of the Mosque showed a very commendable response. Even the Imam of the Mosque announced from the Loud-Speaker that anyone who harms any Christian property or person shall be strictly treated according to the law. The police remained there till 4 P.M and thanks to God that No critical Situation occurred. We have observed that some of the NGOs and people were creating frustration in the Community that the Mosques are announcing to attack Christians which is absolutely Incorrect. Some of them even started sending Text messages that Fariq –uallah is under threat. We would request our Christian brothers that please do not exaggerate the Situation, yes there was a tension but not like Gojra and Joseph Colony.
- See more at: http://www.christiansinpakistan.com/blasphemelaw/#sthash.KeHJv8aP.dpuf

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