Gojra, Korian , Sialkot, and Karachi update on September 22, 2009

Pakistan: September 22, 2009, (PCTV Newsdesk)

While a sad calm prevailed in Sialkot in past a few days after Fanish’s burial, Gojra became a little tense today (Sep. 22nd) after Mohammad Asif, a youth injured in Gojra attacks presumably by the firing done in self defense by some Christian. Mohammed Asif was under treatment in Allied Hospital Faisalabad. The local Police did not register any case, take his profile or mentioned him any investigation as far as public knowledge. Therefore the Muslim community in Gojra has a disadvantage of not having proper information or a picture before them.

Before Asif’s burial the locals tried to protest in Gojra today however a Section 144 was imposed outlawing any gathering and the burial was quietly performed.

Lawrence (40), a barber alleged of desecrating the Holy Quran on September 11, 2009 in Karachi returned to his home reportedly. No FIR had been lodged against Lawrence. The police also released Mr. George and Mr. Shakeel his brother and nephew, after investigations. Thus a relative clam prevails at the moment in Karachi also (more information below).

According to a local source, Mr. Lawrence (an alleged blasphemy accused of Orangi town, Ghaziabad, Karachi) returned to his home town along with his family a week after incident on September 12, 2009 and resumed his work. The political activists of Muthida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and local police and administration played an active role in resolving the issue.

September 20, 2009

• Mr. Kamran Michael, Minister for Human Rights and Minority Affairs (Punjab) visited Gojra and met Christian community on September 19, 2009. While distributing Eid gifts among Muslim children at a missionary school, he said, “Inter religious harmony was required and hatred should be resisted on the basis of frivolous allegations.                                        Daily Dawn Sep. 20, 2009
•  Christian families returned to their homes who had left their homes in the wake of blasphemy case in Jatheki village Sialkot after the alleged desecration of Quran by Fanish Robert, the youth who was killed in his cell in the Sialkot district jail. However, the family of deceased not returned yet.
  Daily Dawn Sep. 20, 2009
  
• Mr. Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, President of Pakistan Muslim League-Q (Quaid Group) said that PML-Q would not allow any amendments or repeal of blasphemy laws. The protection of minorities in Pakistan is part of their faith and there would no compromise on this matter. Mr. Chaudhry Pervaiz Illahi, Senior Leader of PML-Q also supported his statement.
  Daily Pakistan Sep.20, 2009

Korian Case:

• 18 Muslims arrested in Gojra attacks under Anti-Terrorist Act (ATA) were released from District Jail on September 19, 2009. A section of media misreported that they were declared innocent by a joint committee of Muslims and Christians formed to reconcile between both the groups, which is wrong however, On September 17, 2009, bail application of 18 detained accused was accepted by Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) Faisalabad, these accused applied for bail on September 16, 2009 because of EID (a Muslim festival). They were granted bail for not having their involvement in the Korian attack according to the statement of the complainant Mehnga Masih before court.
• On September 19, 2009, bail application of one detained accused Muhammad Ashraf was accepted by the same court on the ground that he was not part of the assailants.

Gojra Case:

• Anti Terrorism Court Faisalabad dismissed the bail application of Abdul Khaliq (Imam Masjid AWAN Colony Gojra) On September 17, 2009, who was a nominated accused in First Information Report (FIR), whereas the 8 detained accused including Aamir Hayat, Moavia Rehman, Muhammad Tayyab, Jamdar Khan, Hafiz Manzoor, Hafiz Muhammad Azam, Zahid and Sajad withdrew their bail applications.
 
• On September 19, 2009, Anti Terrorism Court, Faisalabad rejected the two bail applications of Muhammad Ejaz and Tayyab, etc.  accused Gojra attacks.