FW: Mirror Update

FYI

Mirror Update

September 14, 2009

      

Gojra, Samberial and now Karachi

 

Despite a manifested and massive abuse of religion and law under the phenomenon called blasphemy, the government is mute about legal, political and ideological remedies. The reliance so far has been on administrative measures. The police in Chichawatni, Mian Channun, Khanewal, Sialkot, and Karachi have prevented any consequences like Gojra. However the incidents of alleged desecration have not stopped from surfacing. They are source worry and scare for religious minorities and a potential threat of law and order and harassment of religious minorities exits at several places at this time.        NCJP Team

 

Samberial

·              On September 13, 2009, a relative calm prevailed in Jetheki and Saberial after the young boy Fanish Masih the accused in alleged desecration of Quran was arrested. The First Information Report registered by the family of girl Hina alleged that Fanis snatched a Pa’ara (a Chapter from Quran) from her and threw into a drain. The police registered a case under sections 295-B and 354 of Pakistan Penal Code according to daily Dawn.

 

While a group of Muslims protested against the alleged desecration of Quran and demanded to take strong action against the accused. A few Muslim women made threatening gestures the local Christians in Jetheki by banging their doors, etc.  

 

Asif Ali Zardari the President Pakistan condemned the incident of mob attack on a church and two houses belonging to Christians. He ordered an investigation into the matter and stringent measure to maintain law and order according to daily The News.

 

September 14, 2009

·              Members of national and provincial assemblies, Ulema, representatives of Christian community and police, remained active in Jaithikey Sambrial to keep the situation undercontrol. Local Christian leaders also held a meeting in the Catholic Church to view the situation.                                                         Dawn Sep. 13, 2009

 

KORIAN

·        On Sep 11, 2009, Honorable Judge Raja M. Arshad of Anti Terrorism Court Faisalabad accepted bail application of two detained accused namely Muhammad Ashraf and his son Muhammad Farooq.  These two among the about 40 in custody were granted bail

 

·        On Sep 14, 2009, bail application of 13 detained accused was dismissed by the same Courtlabad, these accused applied for bail on 10th September 2009.

 

GOJRA

·        On Sep 7, 2009, two-member bench of Lahore High Court granted bail relief to eleven suspects of Gojra incident.

 

·        On Sep 14, 2009, Anti Terrorism Court Faisalabad dismissed the bail application of three detained accused (Muhammad Qasim, Muhammad Tayyab and Jamdar Khan), whereas the judge granted bail to one detained accused M. Waqas, after hearing the arguments of complainant and defense lawyers. 

 

·        Abdul Khaliq (Imam Masjid Awan Colony, Gojra) one of the person nominated accused in First Information Report (FIR), filed the application in Anti Terrorism Court Faisalabad. The arguments on bail application will be heard on 17th September 2009.

 

Karachi

A mob led by Muslim clerics tried to attack the Christian settlement at Orangi town, Ghaziabad, at Karachi on September 12, 2009, however timely interventions by the local police prevent aggravation of situation.

 

According to a local source, Mr. Lawrence (40), a barber was alleged of desecrating the Holy Quran. The source said, “Lawrence passed urine from the edge of the rooftop to another side of his house on September 11, 2009. The Muslim neighbors agitated and alleged Lawrence for desecrating the Quran.

 

A mob gathered after the announcements in the mosque and stoned Lawrence’s house and attempted to attack the Catholic Church and the Christian community twice on September 12, 2009, however failed to do so after the police arrival on the scene.

 

The source reported wall-choking against the Christians in a number of areas on the following day. The sentences walls chalking threatened   Christians incited, Muslims to standup against the Christians.

 

No FIR was lodged against Lawrence till this report; however police arrested Mr. Shahkeel, Lawrence’s nephew for investigations. Lawrence has run away to an unknown place along with his family for security reasons.

 

The police and the Rangers are deputed near the Christian settlement. The local Catholic priest had to cancel their scheduled religious services on Sunday (September 13, 2009) due to the tension and fear among the community.