Christian accused

1- James and Boota Masih - Faisalabad

James (65) and Boota Masih (70) two Christians of Munir Park were arrested on the allegation of burning the leaves of the Holy Quran on October 8, 2006 by their Muslim neighbour. Police registered a case under Section 295 – B, PPC and sent them to Jail immediately.

Ms. Nargis, James Masih’s daughter worked as a domestic servant of a Muslim family. On October 8, 2006 the mistress of the house gave her some used goods including newspapers, rough papers etc. to dispose off. She brought the things to her house. Her father began disposing off unnecessary papers. Meanwhile a Muslim person Arshad Mubarik (neighbour) started shouting that James was burning the pages of the Holy Quran. He also accused Boota Masih guilty of the same offence, who was only present in the street at that time. He informed the police immediately. The police arrived at the spot and took the accused into custody. A case was registered under section 295-B PPC spontaneously.

A large number of Muslims including clerics besieged the Christian locality and chanted slogans against Christians. The Christian inhabitants left the place for safety. Some did not return weeks after the incident.

On December 2, 2006 they were sentenced ten years in prison under Section 295-B, PPC and were also given imprisonment of five years and 25,000 rupees fine under the Anti-Terrorism Act by Anti-Terrorism Court Faisalabad.                                                                                    NCJP report

2- Sakina and Bashir Masih - Ferozwala

Sakina (50), of Ferozwala was arrested allegedly for setting a copy of the Holy Quran ablaze allegedly to perfume magic spells. Bashir Masih was also arrested for his alleged involvement in misguiding her.                               Daily Pakistan 7 July, 2006 / Nawa-e- Waqt 7 August, 2006

3- Qamar David-Karachi

Qamar David resident of Karachi was arrested on May 24, 2006. A travel agent Khursheed Ahmad complained that he had sent blasphemous text-messages to several people through his mobile phone. A case was registered against the accused under section 295-A and C, PPC. Daily Times May 27, 2006

4- Bashir Masih - Bahawalpur

Bashir Masih convicted in February 2005, was serving seven years sentence at Bahawalpur central jail on the allegation of using the Holy Quran to perform magic spells. The sources said that Bashir Masih committed suicide on September 30, 2006 by touching an electric wire, jail management claimed that the prisoner had died of heart attack. Daily Khabrain reported on October 1, 2006.

Bashir’s relatives stated that his temple was bloody and skull was fractured when they received the body from Victoria Civil Hospital on October 1, 2006.

His death and hasty burial raised suspicions. He was the 24th Pakistani who met an unnatural death after the blasphemy allegation. CD News October 13, 2006

5- Shahbaz Ilias - Faisalabad

Shahbaz Ilias was given life imprisonment by Session Court Faisalabad on September 25, 2006, under blasphemy laws. His appeal was pending at High Court. He was in Faisalabad jail, where he was severely beaten several times by his inmates. Sehbaz was acquitted by Lahore High Court (LHC) after a medical examination that established his lunacy.                               NCJP report

6- Sohail Masih-Rawalpindi (acquitted)

Sohail Masih (26) was arrested in November 2005 under 295-B, PPC. He was alleged of burning the pages of the Holy Quran. He was acquitted on October 6, 2006. A News October 19, 2006

7- Pervez Masih-Sialkot (acquitted)

Pervez Masih resident of Sialkot was arrested and jailed on the false charges of uttering derogatory remarks for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on April 1, 2001. He was acquitted in 2006 after five years of suffering in jail.                                                                                                   NCJP report

8- Ranjha Masih-Faisalabad (acquitted)

Ranjha Masih was arrested on May 8, 1998, the day of the funeral of Bishop John Joseph, who offered self sacrifice in protest against the blasphemy laws. Ranjha was acquitted on November 10, 2006 after being held for eight and a half years in detention on flimsy charges.            NCJP report

9- Saleem and Rasheed Masih - acquitted

Saleem and Rasheed Masih, two brothers who were alleged of uttering derogatory remarks against the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), declared innocent in March 2003 from the blasphemy charge and were forced to stay in hiding, working odd jobs and relocating if any one recognized them. CD News October 13, 2006

10- Naseem Bibi – Kasur

Naseem Bibi (30) an insane woman of District Kasur was arrested under section 295-B, PPC on March 3, 2006. The local Muslims stated that they had seen her urinating against a picture of a Muslim place of worship. She was acquitted by the Kasur District and Session Judge in December 2006. Asia News, December 5, 2006