Somebody’s Lying in Pakistan

I Stand with Shamim Masih

John R. Houk

© October 2, 2014

A very sad thing is occurring in Pakistan.

On September 29 I posted a report from Shamim Masih entitled, “CLAAS has nothing to do with Zafar Bhatti case, says Basharat Khokhar”. Shamim asserted a few thing in that report:

1)    Mainstream Media reporting that the murder of Christian Pakistani Pastor Zafar Bhatti in prison awaiting execution for a conviction of Blasphemy was completely erroneous.

2)   The Christian Civil Rights organization CLAAS in Pakistan was not representing Zafar as they claimed.

3)   That CLAAS has done nothing materially for Zafar’s family nor has CLAAS performed any legal representation for Zafar.

4)    AND Shamim gave the implication (but not a direct accusation) that CLAAS was using Zafar’s name to drum up donations deceptively with false claims of aid and legal representation.

It is my humble opinion that Shamim was indicating that Zafar Bhatti had made international news for the first time and hence CLAAS took the focus of international scrutiny to connect their organization with Zafar to make the push for Western donors would heap financial sympathy toward CLAAS’s way.

Just to add some fair-and-balance to the unfortunate disagreement between Shamim’s reporting and CLAAS’s claims, Shamim had appealed me to directly ask readers to send donations to Shamim to help with legal bills and to provide material support for Zafar’s family while the avoidance from execution was legally being parleyed on Zafar’s behalf. Thus Shamim also asked for donations. The difference being for me however, is that CLAAS used the international publicity as a photo-op while Shamim did not publicize himself with fanfare. Shamim simply asked.

I have to tell you that Shamim Masih has never led me astray in his reporting of Christian persecution ongoing in Pakistan. And so I was more than willing – and continue to be willing – to forward Shamim’s donation process to my readers.

[Which by the way the donation is for Zafar Bhatti’s family not Shamim; ergo here is that donation info for Americans and Westerners:

The best way to donate to Shamim Masih is via Western Union sending this LINK to a Western Union agent in Islamabad. Include Shamim’s phone - +92-300-642-4560. There are other ways hence I provide bank information underneath Shamim’s rebuttal to CLAAS.]

It is evident that Shamim’s report has given CLAAS the feeling of being impugned. Here is an excerpt of the Pakistan Christian Post report defending their version of the truth which reasserts their organization is personally involved in helping Zafar materially and legally (I usually edit Shamim’s postings but I am not doing so with the Pakistan Christian Post article):

Just to remind that the work which CLAAS doing is the commitment with the God to provide assistance to the persecuted, needy and poor Christians in Pakistan. We are honestly doing our job and CLAAS means to help persecuted without hesitation, to give assistance without expectation and to love community without limitations. We just trying to help or assist people as much as we can but, it is their own will if they want to go to other groups to ask help for their own satisfaction, as we cannot bind them to stay with CLAAS but when they again need help, they are welcomed to CLAAS.

Pakistani so called Christian organizations says that CLAAS use to do photo sessions of people, yes we do for our records. I would like to ask that is there any NGO who do not make photos?

In Zafar Bhatti case the family was mislead twice by few groups in Rawalpindi and after two three months they were again back to CLAAS and requested for financial support and assistance in the legal case of Zafar Bhatti. CLAAS did not denied and again providing food items, financial support monthly and the legal case of Zafar Bhatti.

CLAAS receive thanks letters from Zafar Bhatti he wrote from the prison and also taking care of his medicine and other basic need in the prison. CLAAS legal team and Mr. Joseph Francis personally going to attend court hearings of Zafar case regularly, as the case trial is in prison. After the attack on M. Asghar in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi, Basharat Khokher and Khalid Shehzad mislead the family and sent wrong report of Zafar Bhatti’s murder on international media. They also disturb the family to make them upset and confused by giving them the news of Zafar Bhatti’s killing and ask them to go to the hospitals to see him in the dead houses. They did not only disturbed an old age wife of Zafar Bhatti and also misreported the international media reporter in Islamabad which the news reporter has to rewrite and make correction in the report after taking the correct facts from CLAAS and Nawab Bibi that Zafar Bhatti was alive.

Anyhow CLAAS is not answerable to the people like Khalid Shahzad who has bad politics and reporting that CLAAS is misleading families and use to do photo sessions with the families but there is only GOD we need to be afraid. We trust in God and believe that CLAAS is working in Pakistan just because the God’s will. The new arising Christian NGO’s doing work without vision and afraid from the firmed organization like CLAAS as they cannot get funds from the funding organizations without creating between donors for CLAAS.

If they work for good purpose, which is to provide justice and secure future to the suffering Christian brothers and sisters and assist them in their legal problems, why they highjack the victim’s families. Why they misreport on international and national media, why they using bad policies for the legs pulling of each others. They should sit down together and to clear the misunderstandings if they have any and to guide each other if someone is on mistake because we all are doing work on the same agenda to help people.

It is worth mentioned here that who is Basharat Khokher? A police constable in Islamabad Region Police. A member of APMA; he met CLAAS Director Joseph Francis during the case of Rimsha Bibi victim of blasphemy as he pretended a dispute with Khalid Gill of APMA and Paul Bhatti, APMA leader and brother of Shahbaz Bhatti (late) Minority Minister assassinated by an extremists group. Basharat Gill along with Paul Bhatti worked in Rimsha case but after her release he asked Mr. Bhatti to arrange his visa to Canada but remained fail. Then he asked Mr. Joseph Francis to get visa through any embassy in Islamabad as Mr. Francis asked Basharat that it is not easy to get visa for Canada, America or Europe. But he has been insisting Mr. Francis to help in getting visa from any embassy as Mr. Francis has good relations in foreign embassies in Islamabad. There is nothing than blackmailing Basharat Khokher doing with CLAAS and also Shamim Masih so called Christian journalist who also blackmailer.

Basharat claimed in the report published on “Global Christians Voice” That CLAAS do nothing with Zafar Bhatti case as Pervaiz Khan Advocate in Rawalpindi is his lawyer and they can prove with record/documents. We want to say very clearly that Mr. Tahir Bashir CLAAS Lawyer is Zafar Bhatti’s lawyer and attending every court hearing as Pervaiz Khan is Ghazala’s irregular lawyer (she is co accuse in blasphemy case with Zafar). Ghazala is on bail and she required to the court on each hearing but since last 3 hearings she was absent and on September 25, 2014 the learned Judge has issued arrest warrant against her and ordered the SHO to arrest her present in the court on the next hearing on October 01, 2014. Mr. Joseph Francis National Director CLAAS would be present in the court along with legal team.

CLAAS is providing free legal aid to Zafar Bhatti, monthly food and financial support to his family.

Today CLAAS arrange special visit of Nawab Bibi with Zafar Bhatti at Adiala Jail through one colleague from British High Commission Islamabad. Nawab Bibi was happy and satisfied to see Zafar Bhatti alive and thankful to CLAAS for arranging her special visit with Zafar Bhatti.

Gazal Khan Co-accused of Zafar Bhatti Blasphemy Case Reaches To LEAD For Legal Assistance.

… There is more but is some info on the co-accused Ms. “Gazal” Khan which is followed by Shamim Masih’s report in entirety (Who is supporting Zafar Bhatti in Jail? Christian Pakistan Post; 9/30/14)

As the Pakistan Christian Post reports and CLAAS concurs Gazala Khan is being represented by Legal Evangelical Association Development (LEAD).

JRH 10/2/14

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Race to Take Credit

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 10/1/2014 12:49 PM

ISLAMABAD: Since Zafar Bhatti, accused of blasphemy case confined in central jail Adayla, Rawalpindi is being reported in main stream media, individuals and non-government organizations are in race to take the credit for representing his case.

Today the court adjourned the case hearing till October 15, 2014 due to the absence of his co-accused Ghazala Khan. Parvaiz Khan, legal representative of Zafar Bhatti and Ghazala Khan said that he presented the medical certificate of his client and the Additional Session Judge Muhammad Iqbal Chadhar adjourned the case hearing and fixed the next court hearing for 15^th October, accepting her medical certificate and advised him to bring her in the court for next hearing.

According to the details major media outlets reported earlier that Zafar Bhatti and Muhammad Asghar were shot in the prison and one of them was killed and other was injured and was taken to the hospital. I said and reported that the earlier media reports were erroneous. Zafar Bhatti was not shot but only Asghar Ali, the shooting was not fatal and he was taken to the hospital and was in stable condition. From the Western point of view it shooting in Adayla Jail was worse because Muhammad Yousaf was a police constable and was supposed to be their Guard.

Basharat Khokhar, human rights activist said he had engaged a lawyer Parvaiz Khan for the case that had been hijacked by Joseph Francis. He claimed that Parvaiz Khan is his lawyer.

I roughly reported that CLAAS is doing squat for Zafar Bhatti. As there are many reports that many so called rights champions and non-government organizations in Pakistan pitching for donations deceptively and then using the funds to line personal pockets. As soon as this report was printed in different Western media outlets, Joseph Francis, chief of CLAAS threatened me and declared me “so called journalist and black mailer” and his mercenaries also abused me and said that if I write something against CLAAS, then will face dire consequences.

Today both claimed that they were in the court and other party was absent. I am posting both powers of attorney, one is from Parvaiz Khan, which is duly singed by Zafar Bhatti and attested by the Deputy Superintendent Jail and the other one is from Tahir Bashir lawyer of CLAAS, which seems fake, with forged sign and without legal stamp by the jail authorities.

This is the attitude of the human rights champion Joseph Francis and his non-government organization CLAAS towards the reporters and its work, who write and report when you use these sort of case to “mint more money” instead service to the community.

Be Blessed,

Shamim Masih

______________________

Somebody’s Lying in Pakistan

John R. Houk

© October 2, 2014

____________________

Race to Take Credit

Edited by John R. Houk

© Shamim Masih

Special Correspondents

Daily Khabrian (PakBiz.com description) & Channel - 5

Human Rights Activist

Western Union to Pakistan Shamim Support Info:

For Americans especially, I have discovered the best way to donate to Shamim Masih is via Western Union sending this LINK to a Western Union agent in Islamabad. Include Shamim’s phone - +92-300-642-4560

Snapshot of Human Rights Activism from 2011

Christian Rights Activist
Freelance Journalist 

Secretary General of Information

Pakistan Christian Congress

MORE Shamim Masih’s Donate/Support info:

FOR USD TRANSFER.
Intermediary Bank:                         MASHREQ BANK, NEW YORK
Intermediary Bank SWIFT BIC:         MSHQUS33
Beneficiary Bank:                         JS BANK LIMITED
Beneficiary Bank SWIFT BIC:                 JSBLPKKA
Bank A/c # at Intermediary bank:         70008227
Title Of a/c                                Shamim Masih
Beneficiary Account Number:                 405527

Top of Form

IBAN #                                        pk80jsbl9530000000405227


FOR GBP TRANSFER.
Intermediary Bank:                         MASHREQ BANK, LONDON
Intermediary Bank SWIFT BIC:         MSHQGB2L
Beneficiary Bank:                         JS BANK LIMITED
Beneficiary Bank SWIFT BIC:                 JSBLPKKA
Bank A/c # at Intermediary bank:         00010855
Title Of a/c                                Shamim Masih
Beneficiary Account Number:                 405527
IBAN #                                        pk80jsbl9530000000405227



FOR EURO TRANSFER.
Intermediary Bank:                         MASHREQ BANK, LONDON
Intermediary Bank SWIFT BIC:         MSHQGB2L
Beneficiary Bank:                         JS BANK LIMITED
Beneficiary Bank SWIFT BIC:                 JSBLPKKA
Bank A/c # at Intermediary bank:         10847
Title Of a/c                                Shamim Masih
Beneficiary Account Number:                 405527
IBAN #                                        pk80jsbl9530000000405227 Bottom of Form

Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law vs. U.S. Constitution and Culture

Leftist Race Baiting is America’s of Executing Blasphemy Law

John R. Houk

© October 1, 2014

Shamim Masih is providing a follow-up (scroll below my thoughts) on the rumors and status of the Christian Zafar Bhatti who has been convicted for committing blasphemy in Pakistan.

As Shamim Masih reported yesterday in his report “CLAAS has nothing to do with Zafar Bhatti case, says Basharat Khokhar,” Pakistani Christian Zafar Bhatti has not been receiving the material and legal support publicized by the Pakistan Christian Civil Rights organization CLAAS. Regardless of the initial reported rumors, Bhatti is alive, unwounded but not well. This is the horrendous blasphemy Pakistan law that was supposedly committed and indeed convicted for (Sources on legal issues):

Zafar Bhatti is accused of blasphemy under Pakistan’s 295C blasphemy law. He was charged in July 2012, based on rumors that he insulted Muhammad’s mother in text messages. Zafar worked selling medicines, and he often went door-to-door with his presentation. He also used those opportunities to share Christ in the various homes, reading the Bible and praying with families. He also established a small NGO called “Jesus World Mission” [NGO link on Facebook] whose purpose was to assist the poor.

On July 11, 2012, he was accused by a fellow NGO worker of sending blasphemous text messages from a mobile phone that she had given him. Zafar and his wife left the village to avoid a massive riot. Police arrested him on July 26, charging him under 295c of the legal code, which are informally called the “blasphemy laws.”

In jail, Zafar has been beaten several times. Someone also tried to poison his food. Several of the Muslim prisoners pressure him, saying if he accepts Islam he will be forgiven. Zafar’s sister and wife are quite concerned for his well-being in prison as his case moves through the legal system. “Pray that God will help my brother stay strong in his faith,” said his sister. (Prisoner Alert: Zafar Bhatti; reposted from Persecution Blog [that link now dead]; Before It’s News; 9/4/13 12:32)

Once again, Pakistan's blasphemy law has been used to bring unsubstantiated charges against members of religious minorities. Rev Zafar Bhatti, president of the Jesus World Mission, is in prison after he was accused of violating the 'black law.' Judges now must decide whether or not to heed the appeal made on his behalf and release him on bail. A Muslim leader said the Christian clergyman sent him text messages that insulted Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. Catholic leaders and human rights activists have responded immediately, pleading for his innocence, noting that police has been subjected to pressures and that the case is vitiated by errors in law.

Rev Bhatti hails from Karachi, but moved to Lahore in 2010, in Nawaz Sharif Colony, where he has worked on behalf of local Christians and religions minorities for the past two years. On 10 July, he decided to move with his family to the capital Islamabad. The next day, Ahmed Khan, deputy Secretary of the local Jamat Ehl-e-Sunnat, unexpectedly filed a complaint against the Christian clergyman at the New Town police station, in Rawalpindi.

According to the police report, Khan received some text messages on his mobile phone with insulting language towards Muhammad's mother from an unregistered but visible number, which he kept in the phone's memory. At the police station, he said that if the agents did not open an investigation for blasphemy under article 295-C of the Penal Code, his organisation would take matters in its own hands.

…

Police arrested Rev Bhatti on 16 July and his sister-in-law Nasreen Bibi. In custody, the pastor was physically abused and tortured to extract a confession but he stood his ground, rejecting the accusation and insisting on his innocence.

…

"Zhaffar Bhatti is innocent," said Khalid Jill, of APMA. "We are going to fight for his release." In his view, police began a case against him under "pressure," but we "are going to appeal because he was charged under the wrong article of the law."

Mgr Rufin Anthony, bishop of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, is of the same opinion. "How can police be sure" about the offender's identity? "It is clear that it is a case of personal animosity," probably in connection with some land. (Christian leader falsely charged of blasphemy in Islamabad; By Jibran Khan; AsiaNews.it; 8/13/12)

Zafar is accused of sending blasphemous cell phone text messages to an Islamic cleric. Problem is, Zafar is illiterate and would have no way of knowing how to write a text message.

The Pakistan contact says Zafar survived an assassination attempt in prison March 31. Apparently poison was placed in his food, causing him to bleed from his nose and mouth.

Here's a portion of the email sent to me about Pakistani Christian prisoner Zafar Bhatti:

"Muslim prisoners told him he would be forgiven (for the alleged blasphemy incident) if he accepted Islam. But he refused to accept Islam. Muslim prisoners are trying to kill him... and are saying they will tell jail authorities that he is using bad language about Prophet Mohammed. Zafar's sister says 'everyday Muslim prisoners come around Zafar and call him kafar (infidel) and use bad language against him and Christianity.' They are giving him mental torture. Zafar's life is in danger in jail." (Pakistani Prisoner in Urgent Need of Prayer; By Gary Lane; Blogs CBN.com - The Global Lane; 7/17/13 11:43 AM)

Zaffar Bhatti was poisoned in Jail and suffered unsasnitory (sic) living conditions which affected his legs and body, yet he survived. And as he hailed the Name of Jesus loud and clear echoing in the prison cell walls, the prison inmates and the guards became astonished and asked what was that? They never heard how Christians hail the name of Jesus aloud. But since then, they have kept their silence and refrained from persecuting Zaffar Bhatti. https://www.facebook.com/notes/jesus-world-mission/zaffar-bhatti-wins-his-safety-in-jail-through-jesus-name/653922414625661 (Updates on Zaffar Bhatti: Chairman Jesus World Mission; By Ahsan Nabi Khan; Ahsan Nabi’s Blog; 9/20/13)

I want you to notice the large bulk of this information is NOT from any Mainstream Media sources. The irony is if you Google ‘Zafar Bhatti’ most Mainstream Media sources still have the rumors that he was killed in Adayla Prison awaiting execution for the absurd Blasphemy conviction.

The Christians on death row for Blasphemy convictions are growing all the time. To my knowledge no one has been executed as yet. On the other hand death row Christians are victims often victims of attempted murder or murder by guards and/or inmates. Zafar Bhatti is an example of the many Pakistani Christians that are relatively unknown in America because our media has opted not to report on the horrendous treatment of Christians in Pakistan unless it is a catastrophic event in which many Christians die.

Shamim Masih is openly soliciting donations for care of Zafar’s legal bills and for his family that also live constantly under the threat of Muslim mob violence or mob execution. If you read this and KNOW someone or some Organization that can offer some very needed support Zafar you can send money directly to Shamim Masih who was contacted by Zafar’s family to get the word out on the Christian Pastor’s precarious life and death situation. For Americans willing to step up, the best way is through Western Union. Here is the Shamim Masih contact information to send money via Western Union for Shamim to present to the Zafar Bhatti family:

For Americans especially, I have discovered the best way to donate to Shamim Masih is via Western Union sending this LINK to a Western Union agent in Islamabad. Include Shamim’s phone - +92-300-642-4560

By clicking “LINK” above Western Union will take you through the process of donating in U.S. Dollars in which Western Union converts to Rupees. Shamim’s phone is needed because that is how Western Union contacts Shamim to make him aware funds are available.

If you desire a tax deduction for your giving you need to find a reputable organization that has the proper U.S. Non-Profit tax status to that will contribute to the needs of Zafar Bhatti and his family.

OR try contacting Tahir Naveed Chaudhary the Chairman of the Pakistan Minorities Alliance (PMA) specifying on how to help Zafar Bhatti: HERE.

There is more donation methods toward Shamim Masih at the end of his update report posted after my thoughts entitled, “Zafar Bhatti blasphemy accused is perfectly fine, says his wife Nawab Bibi”.

Can you imagine the silliness of being convicted to a death sentence for voicing your opinion about Mohammed in a negative way? If such laws existed in the USA I would have been lynched long ago. As a Christian living in the land of Liberty I often condemn the theology of Islam directly from that so-called religion of peace’s own revered books such as the Quran, Hadith and Sira. The Quran is considered immutable even by devoted Muslims that call themselves Moderate. It is misleading that the Quran is not presented in a chronological order because there are basically two sides of a coin in the book. One side concentrating mostly form Mohammed’s home town of Mecca prior to fleeing are all about peace and toleration through Allah. The flip side of the coin are Mohammed’s words and actions in Medina which by Western standards are quite lecherous, greedy, brutal and intolerant. According to Islamic theology, especially as seen through the Sunni sect and Abrogation, the Medina portion of the Quran outweighs the Mecca portion when consulted on a theo-political jurisprudence matter. I do not have an irrational fear of Islam as the word ‘Islamophobia’ might indicate, rather I have a very rational dislike for the Islam that is very anti-Christian (ergo antichrist religion) and anti-Jewish (ergo antisemitic) in their holy writings. Thank God I have the right to expose the essence of Islam’s antichrist nature in America. Pakistan I probably wouldn’t make it to the court house before Christ-hating Islamic Supremacists murdered me for my beliefs as blasphemous to Mohammed, Allah and Islam in general.

Every charge of Blasphemy in Pakistan is an attack on Civil Rights issues taken for granted in the United States of America. We as Americans have the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. (Bold text mine)

In America the Constitution is nearly holy writ for the American way of life. Hence Religious Freedom and Free Speech is protected even if individuals, people of devout faith, atheists or various political ideologies are offended. As Americans when a person or group of a divergent faith, no faith or political persuasion offends another American; the offended vents in written or peaceful protest form. Violent responses has become as heinous crimes in the minds of all Americans of faith, no faith, race, gender and politics. Now it is true peaceful protests have evolved into violence but this has occurred less and less in the USA since the 1960s. These days when violence does erupt it is almost never to do with religion or politics, rather when the perception of a minority race that their race has experienced a horrendous rupture in Civil Rights, the minority breaks out into violence. These days the majority population as a whole rarely if ever instigates violent protest over an incident. This was not the case during the 1960s and the very early 1970s in which the Civil Rights Movement was forcing the White majority to abandon long-time prejudices primarily against African-Americans (Black Community).

The Southern U.S. had been entrenched in the hostility toward Black Americans having the same Equal Rights as White Americans because of the former Black Slave status ended with the North (Union) victory over the South (Confederacy) States effectively ending the institution of slavery but not the White attitude toward former slaves. The 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution became the foundation to provide Equal Rights to American minorities even though the end of the slavery of Black Americans was the purpose. Those Amendments became ratified in 1865, 1868 and 1870 respectively. BUT full implementation was not forced upon the segregationist South and various non-South urban areas until the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. That is roughly 100 year variance between slavery emancipation and the enforcement of Civil Rights.

This is my point: other than some race baiting by certain politicians (cough – President Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and more), Civil Rights violence has nearly ceased to exist. Regardless of the fact that discrimination does still exist it is not even close to the level that Black Americans experienced prior to the forced policies of the Civil Rights policies of the U.S. government in the 1960s and early 1970s.

As I was researching the limited sources I could access pertaining to Zafar Bhatti and his family I discovered that Zafar’s sister – Nasreen Bibi – experienced a tragedy at the hands of Muslims in 2010. Then 12 year old Shazia Bashir worked for a Muslim family as a domestic servant. When her parents were finally granted access to their daughter they found her tortured with cuts to her body of which Shazia eventually succumbed to in the hospital. At any rate forgive me for interjecting the U.S. Constitution be sure to read about Zafar Bhatti’s very urgent needs as reported by Shamim Masih.

JRH 10/1/14

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Zafar Bhatti blasphemy accused is perfectly fine, says his wife Nawab Bibi

 Shamim, Basharat, Nasreen & Nawab

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 9/30/2014 6:06 AM

ISLAMABAD: Zafar Bhatti accused of blasphemy case confined in the Central Jail Adiala (or Adayla) Rawalpindi, is perfectly fine and fit, says his wife Nawab Bibi after visiting him in the jail on September 29, 2014. She is thankful to Tahir Naveed Chaudhary, Chairman Pakistan Minorities Alliance – PMA and Basharat Khokhar, Rights Activist for arranging their visit to Adayla Jail.

According to the details; there were rumors that Zafar Bhatti a victim of the 295-C [Blasphemy Law] imprisoned in Adayla Jail, was attacked after the attack of Muhammad [perhaps also Ali] Asghar, another blasphemy victim in the same premises. A police constable named Yousaf attacked Muhammad Asghar on September 25, 2014; he received a gunshot and was taken to the hospital and is still under treatment. Since then there were unverified reports [that Zafar was killed] and Zafar’s family was worried about him.

Early morning on 29^th September, Tahir Naveed Chaudhary chairman PMA and Basharat Khokhar took Nawab Bibi and Nasreen Bibi and went to see Blasphemy victim Pastor Zafar Bhatti. They met Zafar in the jail and found him in good health. Tahir Naveed Chaudhary, who has been attorney to Rimsha (a minor girl, victim of blasphemy), said it was [his] first visit after the speculations and after the fact finding. We decided to take care of the family and the case as well. PMA has decided to provide assistance to the family and legal aid for the accused. Basharat Khokhar, a member [of] civil society, said that I voluntarily [provided] assist[ance] to the persecuted because I have faced the same charges. Human Rights champions work [assistance] as a business but I am passionate to save the beleaguered community.

Nawab Bibi, wife of the Zafar Bhatti, supported Basharat Khokhar and said that he [has] been helping us since the case is registered. Joseph Francis [of CLAAS] came to us and had a photo session, he also provided us assistance of Rs. 5000 twice, and she [had] answered when asked about the CLAAS assistance provision. Nasreen Bibi, sister of Zafar Bhatti, said he [i.e. Joseph Francis] is [the] least [to] bother solving the case and seems interested to prolong the case for his vested interest. That is the reason he uses delay tactics in the case. Both females showed their confidence on these gentlemen [i.e. Tahir Naveed Chaudhary and Basharat Khokhar].

The group came to my house after their meeting with Zafar Bhatti in the jail.

Persecution against religious minorities is very common in Pakistan. But it is observed that some Human Rights champions, without realizing the pain of the victims, play with the life of the poor Christian families.

_______________________

Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law vs. U.S. Constitution and Culture

John R. Houk

© October 1, 2014

______________________

Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law vs. U.S. Constitution and Culture

John R. Houk

© October 1, 2014

______________________

Zafar Bhatti blasphemy accused is perfectly fine, says his wife Nawab Bibi

Edited by John R. Houk

Text in brackets and all links are by the Editor.

© Shamim Masih

Special Correspondents

Daily Khabrian (PakBiz.com description) & Channel - 5

Human Rights Activist

Western Union to Pakistan Shamim Support Info:

For Americans especially, I have discovered the best way to donate to Shamim Masih is via Western Union sending this LINK to a Western Union agent in Islamabad. Include Shamim’s phone - +92-300-642-4560

Snapshot of Human Rights Activism from 2011

Christian Rights Activist
Freelance Journalist 

Secretary General of Information

Pakistan Christian Congress

MORE Shamim Masih’s Donate/Support info:

FOR USD TRANSFER.
Intermediary Bank:                         MASHREQ BANK, NEW YORK
Intermediary Bank SWIFT BIC:         MSHQUS33
Beneficiary Bank:                         JS BANK LIMITED
Beneficiary Bank SWIFT BIC:                 JSBLPKKA
Bank A/c # at Intermediary bank:         70008227
Title Of a/c                                Shamim Masih
Beneficiary Account Number:                 405527

Top of Form

IBAN #                                        pk80jsbl9530000000405227


FOR GBP TRANSFER.
Intermediary Bank:                         MASHREQ BANK, LONDON
Intermediary Bank SWIFT BIC:         MSHQGB2L
Beneficiary Bank:                         JS BANK LIMITED
Beneficiary Bank SWIFT BIC:                 JSBLPKKA
Bank A/c # at Intermediary bank:         00010855
Title Of a/c                                Shamim Masih
Beneficiary Account Number:                 405527
IBAN #                                        pk80jsbl9530000000405227



FOR EURO TRANSFER.
Intermediary Bank:                         MASHREQ BANK, LONDON
Intermediary Bank SWIFT BIC:         MSHQGB2L
Beneficiary Bank:                         JS BANK LIMITED
Beneficiary Bank SWIFT BIC:                 JSBLPKKA
Bank A/c # at Intermediary bank:         10847
Title Of a/c                                Shamim Masih
Beneficiary Account Number:                 405527
IBAN #                                        pk80jsbl9530000000405227

Remembering the Martyrs’ of All Saint Church Peshawar

All Saints Church Peshawar Victims 9/22/13

Just a little more than a year ago two Islamic terrorists committed homicidal suicide at a Pakistani Church so old it was built during the old British Raj of India. Shamim Masih writes a remembrance article about the hundreds of Christians that were killed in the name of Islam.

JRH 9/28/14

Please Support SlantRight 2.0

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Remembering the Martyrs’ of All Saint Church Peshawar

By Shamim Masih

Sent: 9/26/2014 9:36 AM

ISLAMABAD: It was sunny morning when I reached in Lahore on 22^nd September, 2013; I received the phone call from my friend, he told that All Saints Church Peshawar is under the attack. As soon as I switched on the TV there was breaking news saying there was two suicide attackers struck at the end of the services at All Saints Church Peshawar. It was the deadliest attack that the Christian community had ever experienced in the history of the country. This attack had left the Christian community shocked and shattered which left 127 people dead and hundreds injured.

After one year Christian community around the country gathered there to offer special prayer and paid tributes to the victims of the twin suicide bombing who had lost their lives at All Saints Church Peshawar.  People are gathered to commemorate the first anniversary of the horrible suicide bombings at All Saints Church, Peshawar.

Bishop Azad Marshall, Bishop of Iran and Gulf went to All Saints Church Peshawar to stand along with the survivors. According to Shahzad Gill the chaplain to Rt. Rev Dr. Azad Marshall, there were gathering of 4000 people who joined hands in sharing the body of Christ at All Saints Church, Peshawar. Talking to the gathering Bishop Azad Marshall said that after one year of the incident that pain and agony hangs on; souls have [been] scarred for life but we have hope in Christ. The attack was not on the Christians of the Peshawar but also an attack on humanity. We will continue our struggle for a just and equitable Pakistan, he added. He demanded the authorities to ensure the safety and protection of the religious minorities as enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan.

Observing the first anniversary of the Peshawar church attack; chairman PUCM Albert David said all political parties are united in the war against terrorism and supportive to promote peace building in the country. Speaking at the Remembrance service followed by the candlelight vigil he said we as PUCM stress for a collective effort to promote the soft image of Pakistan through a peaceful and harmonized co-existence at home. Expressing solidarity with families of the victims, he said that though wounds have healed however the scars remain and remind us of the tragic incident even.

                                                  

Muslim Christians Unity forum also arranged candle light vigil to pay tribute to the martyrs of the September 22, 2013 bomb blast at the All Saints Church Peshawar. Basharat Khokhar, a social activist said that federal and provincial government made many promises but nothing is being delivered so far. He targeted the Christian leadership and said political leadership is the representative of their political mother parties. They do not represent Christian minority but to their Muslim mother party.

      

The small and largely impoverished Christian community suffers discrimination intolerably [among the] Muslim majority [in] Pakistan. And nobody cares about it. 

Be Blessed,

Shamim Masih

_______________________

Edited by John R. Houk

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© Shamim Masih

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