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Sunday 3 November 2013

Blasphemy charges blown up over firecrackers!

By Shamim Mahmood;

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 other side said that there is another blasphemy case in Wazirabad Gujranwala, the situation is tense there. I picked my phone and made a call to the local police officer. The local police officer, Sami Ullah, the SHO, told me details of the incident and confirmed that there is an incident but (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, but 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 makes his livings by making firecrackers in Wazirabad Gujranwala. Wazirabad is famous for its cutlery items and Tariq works in cutlery factory with a low salary and works part time as well to make the both ends meet. On October 27, Khurram, (complainant) bought few firecrackers from Tariq and found Islamic verses in it. He called on Tariq and beat him severely.  Fortunately with some intervention of the local elders, the issue was resolved. Later he went to the police station and registered the First Investigation Report FIR No. 533/12 in Sadar Police Station, Wazirabad. (Copy it attached).

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, Station House Officer– 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.
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