Pakistan Christian Congress condemn death sentence to Christian couple
Karachi: April 5, 2014. (PCP) Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC has strongly condemned rising misuse of blasphemy law and death sentences to Christian victims of this controversial law by courts.
Nazir Bhatti said “Pakistani courts are handing over death sentences under blasphemy on pressure of Islamic extremists without consideration of facts”
“The wave of fear and anger has spread among Pakistani Christians after awarding death sentence to three Christian victims by courts within period of two weeks” added Nazir Bhatti
On April 4, 2014, Additional District and Session Judge announced death sentence to a Christian woman and her handicapped husband on sending blasphemous text messages during trial in Toba Tek Sing Jail when another Christian was awarded with death sentence in Lahore Jail.
Dr. Nazir Bhatti said “It is mockery of justice and failing of administration in Pakistan that terrorist and killers of innocent citizen’s cases are being heard in open courts while victims of blasphemy are kept in solitary confinements in jails and their cases are also preceded in jails which indicates pressure on judiciary and standard of justice”
Nazir Bhatti said that Shagufta Kausar and Shafqat Emmanuel are illiterate and unable to write English text messages while they reported loss of their sell phone to area mobile shop but still they were booked under blasphemy law by police and judge issued death verdict without considering facts. Same was in case of Sawan Masih who was allegedly involved in blasphemy case to save Muslim culprits who set on fine more than hundred homes, shops and Church in Joseph Colony Lahore.
Nazir Bhatti demanded immediate repeal of blasphemy laws which is spreading violence towards religious minorities in Pakistan.
PCC Chief said that mass movement will be started in Pakistan to press upon government to repeal blasphemy laws and appealed Civil Society and Muslim political parties to raise voice against misuse of Islamic laws by fundamental Islamic elements.
“Pakistani Christian have no voice in Senate of Pakistan and National Assembly of Pakistan after imposition of Joint Electorate which must be noted by International community that basic democratic and human rights of Christians in Pakistan” said Nazir Bhatti
PCC Chief said that Pakistan Christian Congress will submit memorandums to IMF, World Bank and Asian Development bank to condition loans to Pakistan with human rights and religious freedom which are being violated with blasphemy law.
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