Intro to ‘CLAAS has nothing to do with Zafar Bhatti case, says Basharat Khokhar’
Edited by John R. Houk
Posted: September 29, 2014
Early reports from major media outlets had been informed that Pakistan Pastor Zafar Bhatti and/or Ali (Muhammad) Asghar were shot and killed by yet another Muslim convinced he was doing Allah’s will in defense of Islam. From a Western point of view it shooting in Adayla Prison was worse because he was either a policeman or a Guard. Shamim Masih reports the earlier media reports were erroneous. Pastor Bhatti was not shot but only Ali Asghar. And Asghar’s shooting was not fatal and is reportedly in a Pakistan hospital in stable condition.
Here are some headlines in conjunction Adayla Prison inmates being shot:
Christian Pastor Accused of Blasphemy Killed in Pakistan Jail – NBC News -9/25/14
British pensioner on Pakistan's death row on blasphemy charge shot by policeman – The Independent - 9/25/14
Zafar Bhatti safe while UK man accused of blasphemy wounded by police firing in Jail – Pakistan Christian Post - 9/26/14
Cop shoots blasphemy convict in Adiala jail – International: The News – 9/26/14
The walls – International: The News -9/28/14
PASTOR ZAFAR BHATTI WHO IS ALSO BLASPHEMY ACCUSED IS SAFE IN AD – Global Christian Voice (English somewhat broken) – 9/28/14
Gazala Khan Co-accused of Zafar Bhatti Blasphemy Case Reaches To LEAD For Legal Assistance – Legal Evangelical Association Development (LEAD) – 9/28/14
Shamim’s point is not so much the confusion on the shooting of a Pakistani Christian Pastor and a British Muslim of Pakistan origin. Rather the point is Pakistani Christian civil rights organization the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance & Settlement (CLAAS) is making false representation claims for Pastor Zafar Bhatti.
The CLAAS website gets the facts correct on Pastor Bhatti and the Muslim Ali (Muhammad) Asghar but goes on to report on the 9/26/14 report:
CLAAS is deeply saddened on this incident and deeply concern for other blasphemy victims who confined in different Jails of Punjab.
Concerning about Zafar Bhatti, he is safe and sound and CLAAS has spoken to the jail superintendent to confirm the life security of him in prison. CLAAS is dealing with the legal case of Zafar Bhatti and also has good understanding with the jail staff including Superintendent. Above all CLAAS colleague from the British High Commission was at the spot to rescue Muhammad Asghar and took him to the DHQ emergency for immediate treatment and he is still with the victim in the hospital. Meanwhile CLAAS asked Nawab Bibi to go to the prison to visit Zafar Bhatti and see if he was safe.
CLAAS is happy that Zafar Bhatti is safe and really sad due to this unpleasant incident of murder attempt on Muhammad Asghar a British National.
CLAAS urged the Government of Pakistan to assure the life security of blasphemy victims with in the prisons of Punjab we have to say with a heavy heart that if the police is involve in such incidents who will provide security????
We ask your prayers for the life safety of all blasphemy victims confined in the prisons of Punjab and especially prayer for Zafar Bhatti, Asia Bibi and Sawan Masih in which CLAAS providing legal assistance. (Man Sentenced for Blasphemy Shot In Adiala Jail Rawalpindi, Pakistan; By asif; CLAAS; 9/26/14)
Shamim takes a more journalistic approach, but roughly he is reporting CLAAS is doing squat for Pastor Zafar Bhatti. Shamim has written in the past of Christian organizations in Pakistan pitching for donations deceptively and then using the funds to line personal pockets. Here Shamim does not make that specific accusation against CLAAS but I have to wonder, is this one of those occasions in which a Pakistani Christian organization is publicly pumping its name for the purpose of donations?
JRH 9/29/14
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CLAAS has nothing to do with Zafar Bhatti case, says Basharat Khokhar
By Shamim Masih
Sent: 9/26/2014 10:10 PM
Rawalpindi – Centre for Legal Aid Assistance & Settlement – CLAAS has nothing to do with Zafar Bhatti case, said Basharat Khokhar and Khalid Shahzad. The CLAAS chief had a photo session with his family but had done nothing to save his skin.
According to the details, since the incident of Asghar Ali, victim of a blasphemy case, was shot by the police constable within the premises of Central Jail Adayla Rawalpindi. CLAAS reported about this case and claimed that the said organization is dealing with Zafar Bhatti’s case; blasphemy accused is safe in Adayla Jail. But Basharat Khokhar and Khalid Shahzad, social activists rejected CLAAS and said that CLAAS is no more with Zafar Bhatti’s case. Basharat told that CLAAS chief went to his family and had photo session but is not dealing with his case. He claimed that his lawyer Parvaiz Khan is his attorney and dealing actually with his case.
Khalid Shahzad social activist said that CLAAS is habitual in misleading the people, this organization is not doing anything on the ground. CLAAS is neither dealing with Sawan Masih nor Asia Bibi case but claiming [involvement] unfairly about both cases. He [Shazad] said CLAAS is wasting funds paying bribes and in other activities, but not doing anything for the good of Christians in the country. During Sawan Masih case, CLAAS chief took pictures with Sawan and his family using unfair means, he added.
On the hand, Joseph Francis chief of CLAAS said that Tahir Bashir is the attorney to Zafar Bhatti and he is being [represented] by CLAAS. He said we can prove with [a] document when required.
Earlier CLAAS reported that Asghar Ali s/o Hakam Dad, Muslim by faith (some people believe that he is Ahmadi by faith), victim of the blasphemy case and FIR was registered at PS Sadiqabad under section 295-C. Asghar Ali was confined in Adayla Jail, Rawalpindi shot by a police constable appointed for his security. He was immediately taken to the hospital. He was sentenced to death in January, 2014. Yousaf, police constable was appointed for his security; he shot fire within the jail premises. Asghar Ali reportedly wrote a letter claiming to be a prophet and was arrested in 2010. Religious leadership gave a verdict against him that after the prophet Mohammad no one can claim it so he has not right to live. He was convicted and sentenced to death. The new of attack and murder of Zafar Bhatti victim of 295-C imprisoned in Adiala [interchangeable with Adayla] Jail is not correct Zafar Bhatti is safe only Asghar another blasphemy victim who was sentenced to death in January 2014 was gunshot by police constable of Elite Force.
There were rumours that Zafar Bhatti a Christian victim of blasphemy 295-C and Telegraph Act confined in Adiala [interchangeable with Adayla] Jail was gun down by a police constable. Some of reputed national daily reported the same news which is not true. The Christian community across the country is deeply saddened on this incident and urged the authorities to assure the life of blasphemy victims in a different jail of the country. A few years back Salam Taseer (Governor Punjab) was gunned down by his security guard and was garlanded by the religious scholars.
[Often Christians are falsely accused] Victims of blasphemy [which] is punishable to death in Pakistan. Christian right activists in Pakistan have been claiming to revisit [the blasphemy] law, but certainly there are some organizations [that publicly present a profile of doing right, but really] are pretending [and] do nothing practical [for the falsely accused]. Pakistani Christians need education to improve their living standard. Thousands of the children are out of school and [the] drop [out] rate is getting high. This is unfortunate that rights activists are wasting their sources and energy in non-productive activities.
Be Blessed,
Shamim Masih
_____________________
Edited by John R. Houk
Text enclosed in brackets are by the Editor.
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