11- Shahid Masih and Muhammad Ghaffar-Faisalabad

A case was registered against Shahid and Ghaffar under section 295-B and 308, PPC.

Mr. Arshad Mehmood Khan, a doctor, hired Shahid and his brother Farooq for white wash in his clinic. Later he alleged Shahid of stealing medicines and tried to register a case against Shahid and Ghaffar, a watchman. The police did not register any case because of the lack of the evidence.

On September 10, 2006 after several attempts, on advice of Saddar police Dr. Arshad filed a false case against them under section 295-B, PPC. He alleged that when he came to his clinic he found a burned cover of a Holy book and that book was missing, he also stated that Ghaffar had confessed that they have burnt the holy Quran.

Both the accused were arrested on the same day and tortured very badly. Their families had to escape from their houses because an angry mob of the locals had attacked their homes. After few a months the accused were released on bail, but the case was pending in Court till this report. NCJP - AHRC October 10, 2006

12- Accused murdered in jail - Lahore

Hafiz Tahir Iqbal Masih who was converted from Islam to Christianity on September 17, 2000 and from thereon his life was constantly under the threat of being killed.

He was arrested under section 295-C, PPC on January 30, 2006. He was found dead reportedly caused by poison in the central jail Lahore.                                                             NCJP report

13- Martha - Kasur

Martha was alleged of uttering blasphemous remarks, against the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). A case was registered under Section 295 – C, PPC. She was sent to Jail.

Victim and her husband provide wooden supporting on rent used for construction of buildings. They gave that material for the construction of a Mosque, but when victim demanded rent she was alleged by Muhammad Dilbar that she passed derogatory remarks.

Relatives of the victim were facing discrimination and social boycott by the majority community. A petition for her bail and quashment of FIR was pending at High court. Daily Pakistan February 4, 2007

Incidents

NCJP has been recording such happenings where responsibility of certain desecration could not be established because the complaints are mostly registered and such incidents can any time create victims. Here are some incidents that happened during 2006:

Lahore

• An un-identified person was alleged for throwing two copies of the Holy Quran into a sewage drain. Police WAS investigating about the incident.                              Daily Pakistan March 18, 2006

• Torn pages of the Holy Quran were found in the city canal near Doctor’s Hospital at Johar Town. The pages were finished out after the canal dried up. It was suspected that somebody might have disposed them off in the canal.                                             Daily The News February 11, 2006

Dera Ghazi Khan

Unidentified assailants escaped after burning the Holy Quran at Kotani Dera Ghazi Khan. Police had registered a case under section 295-C, PPC against the unidentified culprits. Daily Jinnah February 21, 2006

Destruction of public property on the allegation of blasphemy

Several copies of the Holy Quran were found in Rohi Nala near Bhatta Chawk on Bedian road - Lahore on February 7, 2006. The residents of the locality set the cinema houses ablaze, damaged shops and vehicles. A case was registered against unidentified men under 295-B, PPC. Police officer said that the action would be taken against the people who had destroyed the public property. Sources told that police had arrested 29 violent protesters. Daily Times February 9, 2006

Hunger strike at Adiala jail Islamabad

Prisoners of the Adiala jail declared hunger strike due to the delay in investigation against Assistant Superintendent Jail who allegedly desecrated the Holy Quran.Sources told that on November 9, 2006 during the investigation from three prisoners, Assistant Superintendent Jail allegedly snatched the Holy Quran from Fazal Hameed, prisoner and threw it on the floor. The prisoners demanded that a case should be registered against the accused under 295-C, PPC.Daily Pakistan January 7, 2006

Desecrated Quran found in the boundary of Church at Layyah

Desecrated Holy Quran and two books containing Quranic verses were found in the premises of a Church at Layyah. The Pastor told the press that he did not know who had committed this act. He also said that the gate of Church was kept closed due to the prevailing situation in the country. Police was deputed for the security of the Church till this report. Daily Khabrein April 1, 2006

Yousaf – Bahai Community

Mr. Yousaf allegedly tore the stickers pasted in a bus by Almi Majilis Khatme Nabuwat of blasphemous. The sticker proposed death to the blasphemous. Another passenger Muhammad Ramzan brought Yousaf down from the bus at Shahdadpur and handed over him to police. He was detained at the police station for two days and released on the request of some notables. Some extremists demanded his re-arrested and punishment.                                            NCJP Report

Recommendation: Besides repeal of the Blasphemy laws, we demand that the government should pay an appropriate compensation to the victims of Blasphemy laws for their economic, social and psychological loses.

One survivor of the victimization through blasphemy