 |
|
|
Role of Media, Judiciary and Government after killing of Christian Brothers. By Ishfaq Fateh |
|
|
|
|
The family of the two murdered brothers’ alleged in blasphemy law case is still in a trauma. On July 21, 2010, thousands of Christians attended a memorial service in Christian Colony, Gojra, district Toba Tek Singh. Rashid and Sajid were remembered. The relatives and friends who were not been able to attend the funeral due to “so-called” security reasons gathered in the town of Gojra an area which was set to burn last year by the Muslim extremists. Grand parents of the murdered lived there.
The following account is written to share the role of media, judiciary, government and civil society, action taken after the killings.
Print & Electronic Media
The mainstream electronic and print media shown biases and failed to cover the incidents in a way that could show Christians as victims and help common masses to understand that innocents have been killed. It did not speak about the hearing in the court in which the police informed that no evidences were found against the two brothers. There were no witnesses in the case or any other evidence which could prove they were guilty. If these could have been shown that they have been falsely accused, masses would have sympathies and condemn the extremists. The media created more miseries and misunderstandings about the Christians.
Even the Christian business places in Warispura areas have been badly damaged that had been established in years by the poor Christians. The loss of business and injuries to Christians by the Muslim attackers has also not been covered even. The loss of Christians business is estimated in millions of US $s.
Take the example of July 20, 2010’s The News International one of the largest English Newspaper of Pakistan and considered the most Liberal news group. They covered the story on the second page of the News with the title; “Attackers killed 2 “Blasphemers” in police custody” The group forgot it has to be decided by the court weather they were blasphemers or not. The next day July 21, 2010, the same correspondent asked a question from Akram Gill, Member National Assembly for minorities in a press conference, “why both the brothers had been distributing the handwritten papers at bus stand? He reported, the MNA had no answer for that question. Again the reporter misled the readers despite knowing the fact that there has been no witness stating they have distributed even the complainant denied it.
The headline of The News International was enough to make Muslims understand that the murdered brothers were blasphemers and make understand that Christians commit blasphemy. The Urdu language press which is largely read in the country is even worst. They published stories that could trigger violence. However, “Express Tribune” and “DAWN” English papers done a good job for balanced coverage. Dawn reported, Muhammad Khuram Shahzad the complainant and who got the brothers arrested belongs to an organization called Tehirk-i-Hurmat-i- Rasool, (“Organization for the Honor of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH”) This group runs by a UN and Pakistan banned armed fighters outlawed organization called “Lashkar-e-Taiba”.
Judiciary
Chief Justice of the Lahore Court has taken SUO MOTU action of the incident and summoned the Regional Police Officer (RPO) Faisalabad, for “Criminal Negligence” to protect the two brothers on July 21, 2010. The RPO admitted in the court the two brothers were killed because of security laps. Judicial inquiry has been ordered. Labour court Judge of Faisalabad Shiekh Muhammad Yousaf has been appointed to hold the inquiry. A case has been registered against Deputy Superintendent and Inspector Muhammad Hussian for their failure to provide security to Rashid and Sajid.
Government and Public Representatives
President of Pakistan has also sent message of condolences and sympathies to the family and directed the concerned authorities to arrest the culprits involved who created bad name for Pakistan violating the rights of minorities. Prime Minster of Pakistan assured the Christians that he will take all out efforts to ensure justice to the family.
Farahnaz Ispahani, Member National Assembly and media advisor of President of Pakistan has submitted, “An adjournment motion” in the national assembly for debate on “Rising persecution of minority communities in Pakistan” She said, the International Polls had shown, “ A trend of increasing violence and brutality” towards minority communities in Pakistan.
Altaf Hussian the chief of Mutihida Qomi Movement, a political party strongly condemned the incident and expressed solidarity with the Christian and emphasized the government to take stern action against the killers and conspirers.
Chief Minister of Punjab assured early arrest of the culprits. However, no compensation or rehabilitation for wounded and Christian shopkeepers has been announced.
Minorities’ leaders are condemning the government for their failure to protect minorities and demanding to repeal the draconian laws in Pakistan.
Silence of Civil Society Organizations
Civil Society organizations including Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Labour Party Pakistan, South Asia Partnership (SAP), PATTAN, and many others claimed to work for the rights of religious minorities. Their silence over the killings of two Christian boys will further strengthen the extremists.
Applied Socio Economic Research (ASR-Lahore), Harmony Foundation, Society for Human Development, National Commission for Justice & Peace and few other organizations strongly condemned and urged government to take immediate steps to protect minorities.
Church
Most Rev. Bishop Joseph Coutts, the Bishop of Faisalabad diocese, Fr. Khalid Rasheed Asi, Fr. Emmanuel Yousaf Mani, Fr. Aftab James Paul, Atif Jamil Pagaan, Joel Amir Shohotra Member Punjab Assembly and others held several meetings with district administration, Muslim clerics for peaceful resolution of the issue and building peace after the killings.
Rev. Fr. Aftab James Paul, director for Interfaith Dialogue told, “The handwritten letter was presented to Muslim clerics during interfaith and peace building meeting. The clerics strongly denied the involvement of the two brothers. It was decided in the meeting that Christian delegation comprised on Church and political leaders will have meeting with two brothers on July 20, 2010 to further investigate their allegedly involvement in the case. But they were killed.
Failure of law enforcement agencies
The case has shown the over all failure of law enforcement agencies. The honorable courts are also well aware that in these cases accused are attacked. One could take the example of militants exhibited their arms very openly in the presence of law enforcement agencies even they had explosive material to burn down the houses and properties of the Christians in Warispura, Faisalabad. The police dared not to arrest the outfits operating openly.
The challenge for government
There are several statements and promises made by the governments at federal and provincial level after the killings of the two brothers to protect and provide justice to the religious minorities. The coming days will prove how far they are committed to their words.
Note: Rashid and Sajid were my closed associates. Rashid & I had spent lot of time together. He had great vision for the Christians. I never saw him stating anything against Islam or the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He had strong faith in the Lord.
He worked for over ten years in Faisal Hospital, Faisalabad and Dawoo Bus Service. He was stationed in different cities. All through these years, he worked with Muslims. The workers and institutions have never found him having any anti Islam thoughts. Rather he was very friendly and respects others. |
|
|
|
|
|
