Christian Boy brutally tortured to death for ‘Polluting’ Tube-Well Water.

Saleem Masih, age 22, was bathing in a tube-well when he was allegedly tortured by local landowners in bagiana village,  Family claims local police officials ‘acted as spectators’ as they pleaded assailants to let them take Saleem to hospital.

Punjab, Pakistan:  A Christian laborer was brutally tortured by local landowners in District Kasur three days ago on accusations that he had ‘polluted’ their tube-well water by bathing in it died due to his severe injuries on Friday.

Saleem Masih, 22, was brought to the General Hospital in a critical condition on Thursday,  “On Feb 25, Working as laborer Saleem had finished unloading chaff in fields in Bagiana village and was rinsing himself off in the tube-well water when a group of men, including Sher Dogar, Iqbal, Altaf, Jabbar and Haji Muhammad were informed  that a Christian is bathing in their tube well. They rushed over, pulled him out of the water and began beating him,” Saleem’s father Ghafoor Masih said.

“They cursed and abused Saleem for ‘polluting’ the water, calling him a ‘filthy Christian,’” Masih claimed, adding that the assailants then dragged the youth to their cattle farm, where they chained his hands and feet and continued to torture him with sticks and rods. “They also rolled a thick iron rod over Saleem’s entire body, causing multiple fractures and internal injuries.”

Ghafoor said that the family was informed about the incident by police officials four hours after his son was taken hostage and tortured.

“When we reached the cattle farm, we found Saleem lying unconscious on the ground, his face and body bloodied,” he said. He alleged that according to Dogar and the other men, Saleem had “committed a crime by dirtying” their well water and that his punishment was “justified”.

Masih said that after much pleading, the family was allowed to take Saleem to the hospital while the police acted like spectators.

The police’s attitude is mostly biased when they deal with matters relating to blasphemy, forced conversions and marriages of girls belonging to minority faiths especially Christians, and even in minor disputes. 

Video: Father Demands Justice 

Kasur is the same district where an young Christian couple was beaten and burned to death by a furious mob in 2014 over false allegations of blasphemy. Shahzad and Shama Masih (was pregnant), age 26 and 24 respectively.

The mob beat the two with sticks and stones before burning them in a brick kiln in front of police officials who stood watching. Post-mortem reports revealed that the two were alive when they were thrown into the kiln.

This is a cruel reality which is deeply affected by #Christophobia & is almost impossible to change because over the years previous Governments in Pakistan did nothing to change this mindset. Global Christians must focus this reality especially in Punjab Province. This mindset exists in all segments of society i.e. Educated government & private sector , Political infrastructure, Labor groups & almost in every field making it impossible for Christians to breathe in Pakistan.

Long term solution needed for the future of Christian children living in Pakistan.

Christian Girl Abducted & Forcibly Converted in Punjab, Pakistan.

Punjab, Pakistan. Another Christian girl is reported to be abducted and forcibly converted. During an interview Simrin i.e. the victim girl stated that Muhammad Majid abducted her on gun point and forcibly converted her.

After the girl was recovered & handed over to the Christian family with the help of law enforcement departments, Now the Culprit Muhammad Majid forcibly wants to take the girl back. They attacked Christian family and shot two people by firing direct bullets.

Alarming situation is that the concerned Police department did not respond to complain of the victim family prior to the shooting incident.

Please Watch the interview Video of the Victim girl & Her Mother’s statement.     

Interview Video:

New minorities commission to be constituted in six months

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Azam Swati said that new National Commission for Minorities (NCM) would be constituted within the next six months as the three-year tenure of the present commission had already expired.

Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony was preparing a case for its fresh constitution with revised composition of members. He said during the last five years, NCM issued six no-objection certificates (NOCs) for the sale of minorities properties.

Terms of the NCM include developing a policy on inter-faith harmony, exploring avenues for peace and security, considering such laws, which are reportedly discriminatory towards the minorities.

The commission also recommends steps aimed at ensuring fuller and effective participation by the members of minority communities in all aspects of national life.

Besides, it also ensures minorities’ full and effective participation in association with their religious and cultural festival and celebrations.

It also looks into the grievances and representations made by the members of any minority community to the government and, after examination of such grievances, to make suitable recommendations for their resolution.

It also ensures that the churches, shrines, temples, gurdwaras and other places of worships of the minority communities are preserved and well kept in a functional condition.

National Commission for Minorities actively performed during the tenure of last government.

Six meetings of NCM were held and 61 important decisions were taken including taking notice of the burning alive of a Christian couple in Kasur district.

On the recommendations of NCM, provincial governments and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration constituted district interfaith harmony committees comprising members from all religions and presided by a high level government official, so that these Committees may take immediate action to address any incident at initial level and work as a task force.

On the recommendations of NCM, National Interfaith Harmony Conferences were also arranged in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar,Quetta, Islamabad and Muzaffarabad.

NCM took notice of the registration of FIRs against some prayer leaders of Mosques in Islamabad on hate speeches and on use of loud speakers and asked for report on security measures taken for minority worship places in Islamabad.

On the recommendations of NCM, implementation of job quota reserved for minorities was taken up with federal ministries, divisions, departments as well as from provincial governments.

Issue raised with CDA to make functional the gurdwara/temple in Saidpur village, Islamabad, however, the same could not be made possible due to security reasons.

Christian Women with Broken Nose Cries for Justice in Pakistan

Maryum after Physical Assault

Christians in Pakistan especially in Punjab are the most vulnerable and easy target for land grabbing mafia. Similarly at Sambrial, Punjab Pakistan. Model Police Station Village dhillam Valgan. A Christian woman i.e. Maryum , mother of two is living in her ancestors house for years and her house caught the eye of the local land mafia goon Saleem Warriach who is supported by the local influential politicians says local sources. 

After various attempt to forcibly grab house & life threatening situation by this land mafia. Maryum reached the point of decision and registered a police complaint against these culprits. An official complaint was filled and police arrested these culprits and proceeded accordingly and culprits were sent to jail by court. After few months these culprits are granted bail and they went straight to the house of maryum and attacked her once again. This time the attack was so violent that they broke her nose, teared her cloths  and left her bleeding & screaming in front of her children. 

(Warning: Graphic Content)

Video: Complete Incident Details & Footage of Maryum suffered Injuries

The worst part is that after all this brutal assault Maryum called police helpline number i.e. 15 and the concerned police station were contacted by the authorities. It is stated by sources that at the time of attack politically influential Saleem Wariach was present in the police station and due to his influence the police officials did not dare answer the 15 official call and were not ready to respond to their official helpline authorities. Isn’t that amazing?

So Police helpline department contacted another nearby police station and they responded and performed all the necessary measures to take Maryum in protective custody and other obligations of medical examination etc.

Now the main concern is that these culprits are so strong and influential that none of the Punjab’s provincial political administration and none of National level political administration has responded to the cry of Maryum for justice and protection.

Above mentioned situation demands a swift action of Pakistan’s Law enforcing agencies to counter these culprit terriorists through implementation of Operation Rud-Al-Fasad and let Christians breathe a sigh of relief in Pakistan. So far there are many news headlines by the Government authorities and less practical implementation of their claims to protect religious minorities living with in Pakistan. 

Lahore ATC (anti-terrorism court ) acquits 42 Christians in Youhanabad lynching case.

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Wednesday acquitted and ordered the release of 42 Christians  who were accused in cases pertaining to the lynching of two men in Lahore's Youhanabad colony after  suicide bombings targeting two Churches in Lahore during prayers killing dozens of innocent Christians including women & children.  

The incident occurred in 2015 when twin suicide bombings outside two churches in Lahore sparked protests in Youhanabad colony. The protests turned violent and two men identified as Babar Noman, a tailor, and Hafiz Naeem, a glass cutter  were taken into police custody as suspects to be facilitators of suicide bombers and both were killed during  a angry mob attack.

In 2016, the ATC had indicted 42 Christians in different cases pertaining to the incident. Two of the accused Christian prisoners died in prison allegedly due to Christophobia based hatred resulting refusal of access to medical treatment of Christian prisoners.

The suspects had filed an application stating that they should be released because they had reached an agreement with the victims' families.

The ATC announced the verdict, acquitting all suspects, including those who passed away, after recording the statements of the victims' families, who told the court that they had arrived at an agreement with the suspects and would have no objections over their acquittal.

On behalf of Christian community in Pakistan we’re grateful to Global & Local Christian community for their generous donations & financial contribution for settlements which was paid through a local Church. Without your financial support this was not possible, also the role of Pakistan’s judiciary must be appreciated who implemented necessary measures following the fast track and acquitted all accused. 

Punjab Government’s Education Scholarship for Religious Minorities 2020.

Govt. of Punjab announces scholarship for Non-Muslim students i.e. Christians, Hindus, Sikh, Parsi & others studying in Schools from Matric to Higher Education to PHD belonging to minority groups may avail this scholarship. Fixed yearly stipend shall be given to the selected deserving students belonging to Minority Groups. Last date to apply for the scholarship is March 02, 2020. 

Eligibility Criteria for Minorities Scholarships

Minority’s students who are the regular student of the government institute are eligible for the scholarship.

Students who are studying in Government institutes in Punjab or Federal Government institutes in Punjab territory. 

Students having domicile of the Punjab.

Must have scored at least 50% marks in the last examination. 

Family’s Monthly income should not exceed PKR: 29,450/-

Minorities groups Scholarship Stipend:

Degree program	Yearly Stipend
Professional education (MBBS, DVM,BDS,B.Sc, P ham-D, Ph.D)	50,000/-
Postgraduate Level (M.A, M.Sc, M.Com, MCS/MBA, M.Phil, LL.M etc)	35,000/-
B.A/B.Sc/B.B.A/B.Com(2&3 years degree & Honours le. 4 years degree) LLB	30,000/-
F.A/F.Sc/I.Com/A level/ DAE or equivalent	20,000/-
Metric/O Level or Equivalent	10,000/-

This is definitely good news and certainly some relief to the deprived Christian community in Punjab province. On behalf of Christians in Punjab we’re thankful to Govt. of Pakistan & Punjab for realizing this need to uplift deprived communities and addressing the situation of religious minorities especially Christians in Pakistan who are deliberately pushed and steered towards becoming the lowest segment of society.

Similar to this initiative we now expect & demand from Govt. of Pakistan to replicate this education support for religious minorities in other three provinces as well i.e. KPK, Sindh & Balochistan.  Additionally we need practical measures of harmony and suitable working environment for educated Christians serving in Govt. & Private sectors as well.

National & Provincial level Department of Religious Affairs & Harmony must initiate practical measures to eliminate discriminatory hatred against Christians & Hindus who are addressed & believed as untouchables, as well provide suitable social environment to a common citizen belonging to religious minorities during day to day affairs for survival in difficult economic situation.

So far this education support program for religious minorities is more than welcome and much needed. Hopefully other key issues shall be addressed & resolved as well. For this one, Pakistan Zindabaad! 

Kamyab Jawan Programme: 200,000 to 300,000 youth likely to get loans under YES

Christians & Other Religious Minorities Religious & Political representatives must follow up and list down the minority's young candidates who applied & yet to benefit from Government's Youth Loan Scheme to assess the claims of transparency and slogans of equal opportunities for Christians & other Religious Minorities in Pakistan .  

On various news channels and social media sites it is stated that around 200,000 to 300,000 budding entrepreneurs are likely to get benefit under the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES), a component of the government’s flagship Kamyab Jawan project launched to offer soft loan facility to those having workable business ideas.

“Only 15 to 25 per cent of the total applicants may get the concessionary loans under the ‘YES’ as it seems that some 50 to 60 per cent apparently are going to be rejected, ” Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Usman Dar informed while highlighting the current statistics of the loan scheme.

YES was launched under the banner of Kamyab Jawan Programme in October last year under which Rs 100 billion allocated for the youth and loans ranging from Rs 100,000 to Rs 5 million is to be disbursed among the youth coming up with practicable business ideas.

“Some 1.3 million youth applied for the loan scheme in merely 15 days which brings it into international spotlight as a team of the United Nations has discussed this Kamyab Jawan programme for attracting such a large proportion of youth.” 

The scheme is almost in the launching process as the applications are being scrutinized and verified by making phone calls, doing Smart Message Service (SMS) and carrying out a third party verification of the applicants.

Government claims that the allocated money belongs to youth and would be spent on deserving ones. He said the loans would be distributed on equitable basis as Rs. 25 billion had been dedicated for the women under YES exclusively.

Initially, the soft loans would be distributed in Sindh and then extended to the other provinces,“Prime Minister Imran Khan will distribute loan cheques among the successful applicants of the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES) from Sindh on January 27th.”

I'm aware that many young boys & girls belonging to Christians & Other Religious Minorities communities also got excited and applied for loans in this scheme. As per procedure they also received SMS on their cell numbers which stated that soon related banks are going to contact them. But so far none of the ones i know received any phone call from related bank or government's loan officer. 

Therefore i urge Religious & Political representatives belonging to Christians & Other minority communities in Pakistan to gather information and list down total number of minority's youth who applied for loans and received confirmation messages and keep an eye on the  fact that how many are going to be included among the final beneficiaries.   

Let's wait for the outcome and see how Government implements this program.