An international airport security agent was threatened by a superior for enforcing the rules. In a video that went viral, the woman bravely challenged the official to report her. Human Rights Focus Pakistan: “Without the images that proved her innocence, what would have happened?”
Karachi () – She was accused of blasphemy just for enforcing the rules of access to the parking lot of a Pakistani airport. The episode of false blasphemy accusation occurred on January 7, when a Christian security officer stopped a vehicle that did not have the necessary documents to enter the parking area of the cargo area of Karachi Jinnah International Airport. A Muslim superior from the civil aviation authority ordered him to let in the vehicle of hers known to her even though she did not have the pass.
A video that has gone viral shows him threatening the officer to sue her for blasphemy saying “I’m going to call the preachers… I’m furious and I’m going to tear you apart.” The woman responds by challenging him to file a blasphemy complaint against her if he has done something wrong.
The incident has caused quite a stir: former President Asif Ali Zardari has called on the provincial and federal governments to seriously consider what happened at Karachi airport. “Accusing blasphemy is a very dangerous thing,” said Zardari, calling for measures to protect the female security officer and harsh punishment for the accuser. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), for its part, has decided to dismiss this official. Farhatullah Babar, an engineer and former senator, said: “We congratulate this brave Christian officer who refuses to be intimidated by false accusations of blasphemy. That is the way to fight the fanatics. The authorities should take note.”
Speaking to , Naveed Walter, president of Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP), said the woman’s response to the CAA official is the voice of all innocent Christians and minorities who are the victims of accusations. “They think Christians are easy targets and intended to do the same in this case, but she did her duty according to the rules and the law.” However, Naveed Walter added: “What actions are the authorities taking against the serious threats facing Christian women? Layoff alone is not enough, there must be coordinated actions and strategies to stop these incidents. If this woman had been killed on the spot, as has happened several times with other innocents, who would she have held responsible for her? Only the video of the incident has made it possible to prove her innocence.”
