Pakistan has seen an increase in violence in the name of religion, he said. “The allegation itself is nothing short of a death warrant, and we continue to pray for their safety.” “It’s unfortunate that police arrested and charged both the accused with blasphemy despite confirming that they were illiterate and had not committed the act intentionally,” Marshall told Morning Star News. In spite of repeated demands for the government to introduce deterrents, he said, officials have failed to stop the misuse of the blasphemy laws. She also ran a small store in the school to supplement her income.Īnglican Church of Pakistan Bishop Azad Marshall said the case shows how blasphemy allegations are misused to victimize vulnerable citizens. Bibi’s husband, Barkat Masih, had worked as a teacher in the same school, and after his death five years ago, the institution hired her as an office worker in accordance with government service rules. Section 295-B states, “Whoever willfully defiles, damages or desecrates a copy of the Koran or of an extract therefrom or uses it in any derogatory manner or for any unlawful purpose shall be punishable with imprisonment for life.”īibi has three daughters, two married, while the youngest is 14 and lives with her mother. ![]() They were charged under Section 295-B of the blasphemy statutes and sent to Pakpattan Jail on judicial remand. Nadeem gathered a mob outside the school that staged a protest, and police arrested Bibi and Sarmad to avoid unrest, he said. Nadeem named only Bibi, but police found the gardener was also involved in setting the pages on fire during investigation, Sahotra said.
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