Catholic leaders in Pakistan protested the beating and burning on Nov. 4 of a young Christian couple accused of desecrating the Quran. “The government has absolutely failed to protect its citizens’ right to life,” said the National Commission for Justice and Peace of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Pakistan in a statement on Nov. 5. Condemning the brutal killing of Shahzad Masih and his pregnant wife, Shama Bibi, in their mid-20s, the commission pointed out that the killing of the couple at the hands of a mob was based on a “false accusation of blasphemy.” Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif described the incident as “an unacceptable crime” in a statement on Nov. 6. “A responsible state cannot tolerate mob rule and public lynching with impunity,” he said. “I have directed the Punjab [Province] chief minister to show no mercy, and the law should take its course to punish those who are responsible for this act,” he told local media. The couple had three children.
Protest After Christian Couple Murdered
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Mushtaq Dean
10 years ago
Murder of Christian couple in Pakistan
The report of murder of Christian couple, labor at brick kiln, by unruly crowd has been
circulated worldwide through national and international print and electronic media. The incident is said to be a result of blasphemous act that the couple had committed.
It is grumbled that the blasphemous act, in many cases, is misused by powerful and influential persons when they want to settle their account with their foes who happen to be weak and feebly settled in society.
The affected rather ruined family is grateful to those who shared with them their irreparable loss through words of sympathy. The message becomes more comforting, solicitous and consoling when we see it coming from a distinguished people including Ex-president Zardari, MQM chief Altaf Hussain, Chief of Islamic Counsil Moulana Tahir Ashrafi, MNAS, MPAS and many other renowned Islamic scholars.
Thankfully, in such a disastrous situation, we have a sensitive and responsible government. Chief Minister, Shahbaz Shrif, reputed for his alertness towards the administration, went into spontaneous action. He has established a high powered inquiring squad, has granted prodigious amount of money for the distressed folks.
Such timely, caring and generous attitude will not sooth the wounds of wounded only but also win applause and admiration from all quarters, in particular from the minorities.
Prime Minister, Mr Nawaz Shrif, is equally watchful of the incident taking keen interest. Many anxiously waiting for the outcome of the inquiry wishing the result to be full of
retribution for the criminals.
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