Editor TLN
Anwar Masih, 57, has been in prison for more than two years. After a family dispute, the police accused him of defaming Muhammad. His family lives in hiding and he has received several death threats. Human rights activists and lawyers demand fair treatment in blasphemy cases.
Lahore () – The ordeal continues for Anwar Masih, a 57-year-old Christian who has been in prison for more than two years on false charges of blasphemy, according to his family and several human rights activists. In recent days, a local court rejected the bail request.
The case arose after Anwar’s daughter (Samreen Bibi) married a Muslim in 2017, also embracing the Islamic faith. Soon after, the accused’s wife, Kosar Parveen, also converted to Islam.
To heal the fissures created in the family by the situation, Kousar turned to the local police. Instead of seeking mediation, the police accused Anwar of mistreating his wife and daughter because of his decision to convert. On June 2, 2020, police officers arrested the man for alleged defamation of the Prophet Muhammad, a criminal offense in Pakistan.
Imran Masih, one of Anwar’s sons, revealed to that his brothers were pressured to convert to Islam and show that the family is not against the Muslim creed. Imran added that he and his family members have received death threats and are forced to live in hiding. However, he explains that his family’s Christian faith is strong and that they are willing to give their lives to remain faithful to God.
Voice for Justice activists and human rights lawyers are calling on the judiciary to discourage the misuse of the blasphemy law and to release people who have been charged with unsubstantiated and false evidence. Cases like Anwar’s, they argue, should be treated without discrimination.
