Christian couple arrested in Gojra in blasphemy case.
Max Gibson
Christians of Gojra are again under threat
On 21st July, 2013 evening another Blasphemy case was registered against the Christian couple in Gojra City in Punjab province.
Bishop from Karachi and Christian Journalist from Islamabad had inform Farrukh Saif Foundation previously known as World Vision in Progress to look into the sensitive matter on urgent basis. They informed us late at night to take quick action and we quickly responded.
The story is as under:
Shafaqat Masih and his wife Shagufta Bibi accused of blasphemy case were arrested on July 21, 2013 but the First Investigation Report (FIR) No. 407/13 was registered under 295-B and C against anonymous, however the police has taken the Cell Phone and SIM card into its custody, Which was later found the ownership of Shagufta Bibi, wife of Shafaqat Masih. Police recorded the Statement of the couple declaring their ownership and shifted them to unknown place for further investigation.
After taking necessary action and keeping the sensitivity of the issue in mind, police sent the couple to Gojra Jail.
Earlier, Rana Mohammad Fiaz (complainant) informed the police that he had received a blasphemous text message from a private cell number. After the investigation Police found the SIM card data, and bring into being the details and arrested the couple.
Background: The family is living in pathetic situation as the couple has 4 growing children; the youngest one is of 6 years old. Shagufta Bibi was working in a mission school as class four staff and sole responsible of taking care of her children as her husband is crippled and unable to earn.
Gojra City is observed and declared a very sensitive area in such cases. Earlier in 2009, due to the similar cause, radical Muslim set a blaze the Christian colony, and 8 family members were burnt alive. The fire was started from the Korian Village, Distt. Toba Tek Singh and so far hundreds of houses were turned to ashes in the said district. Much family had left their houses and shifted to other areas of the country.
Earlier on July 13, Sajjad Masih was sent to jail for life imprisionment in the same sort of text massages case. The city police of Gojra in association with some fundamental Muslims made baits against Christian boy Sajjad Masih. The case was sent in the court of Main Shahzad Raza, Additional Sessions Judge Gojra, for trail of the case.
The prosecution had failed to prove the case against Sajjad Masih. Even then Main Shahzad Raza, Judge of the Court, announced his judgment on 13th July, 2013 and sentenced him life imprisonment.
The area is known as a house of the banned militant organization Lashkar e Jhangvi. It is reported earlier that local government is backing up this organization. And this case of Shafaqat Masih and his wife Shagufta Bibi is the continuation of Gojra Tragedy.
We have not been able to understand the unreasonable situation of the Pakistani courts; the text massage/ SMS is taken as sole evidence against the accused of the Blasphemy case whereas the DNA test report, which is an authentic proof against rape, is not acceptable according to the Islamic Sharia Law.
Farrukh Saif Foundation previously known as World Vision in Progress with the help of its partners are now officially Providing the legal and moral assistance to the persecuted family.
We would request you to pray for the safety and provision of the family.
In Him We Trust
