Two Pakistani Christians have been held under Pakistan blasphemy laws after they were accused of committing sacrilege of the Quran, the holy book of Muslims
A Christian man, Gulsher and his 18 year old daughter, Sandal have been arrested by police under Pakistan blasphemy laws under FIR 396/08 section 295 B/109 PPC
According to the APMA fact-finding team Amsal, a seven year old son of Gulsher, brought home a plastic bag from the street where he was playing.
The child gave the bag to his elder sister Sandal, who found that the bag contained torn pages of Quran.
Sandal went to her neighboring female Muslim friend and asked her to give the bag to the local cleric.
Tension was simmering between Gulsher and Samina bibi, a resident of the area over a minor clash in the recent past. Samina had reportedly hurled threats at Gulsher's family at that time.
As Samina still nursed a grudge towards Gusher's family, in her heart she alleged that Gulsher and Sandal had committed the Quran's sacrilege.
The word on alleged sacrilege reached Muslim clerics, who made announcements from mosques to further incite the already angry Muslims to attack Gulsher and his family.
Charged Muslims attempted to attack Gulsher's house on October 9 but the police came to their rescue.
A blasphemy case under section 295-B, an offence that carries life imprisonment if convicted has been lodged against the accused on the complaint of one Farooq Alam.
Farooq told the Police that he had not witnessed the alleged desecration of Quran.
He (Farooq) told the police that the local people said that Gulsher and his daughter had desecrated Quran.
APMA deputed team of lawyers to defend the Christian father and daughter accused of committing blasphemy. APMA lawyer Eric has taken a plea for the post arrest bail in the court when the police presented Sandal before the magistrate on 11 October.
The magistrate spurned the post-arrest bail plea and sent the accused to the district jail Faisalabad.
A large mob of Muslims was present outside the court. The mob raised slogans against the accused in a bid to pressurize the magistrate.
The Chief of All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, Shahbaz Bhatti has condemned implication of two Christians in the fresh blasphemy case.
The APMA members quickly reached at the scene of attack and rescued Gusher's family with the help of Police.
Fearing that the local Muslim members could cause grave trouble to Gulsher's family the APMA members shifted the family to a secure place.
Shahbaz was critical of the misuse of Pakistan blasphemy laws. He described the law as "a death warrant" in the hands of extremists.
He underscored the need for repeal of Pakistan blasphemy laws.
APMA is assisting and defending the many victims of blasphemy laws including Dr. Robin's case, a Christian man who was accused of passing 'derogatory remarks' against the Prophet Muhammad in May this year. The APMA lawyers are also fighting to ensure justice to other blasphemy accused as well.
APMA will provide the necessary support and assistance to the family members of the accused.
Expressing his concern over the misuse of Pakistan blasphemy laws APMA chairman said the fresh case reflected that the law was being abused to settle personal scores.
He termed the case as 'baseless, fallacious and concocted. It is based on personal enmity', he said.
APMA appealed for prayers for the protection and release of Gulsher and his daughter.
