6 Christians Shot Dead by Muslim Extremists When Refusing to Convert

Quetta: August 31, 2009. (PCP report) The Islamic extremists gunned down 6 Christians and injured 7 more in Quetta city of Baluchistan on August 28, 2009, after threats of “Convert to Islam or Die”

The sad incident of killing Christians was target killing when Baluchistan was observing death anniversary of Baluch leader Akbar Bugti and Islamic extremists targeted peaceful Christian.

According to PCP, Mushtaq Masih owned a Laboratory named “Maryiam Labs” in front of Civil Hospital Quetta located in busy city centre.

On Friday, August 28, 2009, at 9:00 AM, two gunmen on motorcycle opened discriminatory firing at Maryiam Labs killing Mushtaq Masih, Naveed John, Naymat Gill, Nadeem Akhtar and Suleman who were in laboratory while 7 other were seriously injured and hospitalized.

The sources told PCP that Christians were receiving threats from Islamic militants to convert to Islam or Die letters and calls from months which resulted in killing.

The bodies of 3 martyred Christians were brought to Punjab in funerals were performed in Lahore and Khushpur.

The province of Baluchistan bordering Afghanistan and Iran is facing unrest from years in wake of violence among Pakistan armed forces and Baluch liberation organizations.

The Baluch leaders blame Pakistan Army and Punjab province which dominates in population and holds control in Pakistan army to be responsible for poverty in Baluchistan and enjoying resources of Baluchistan since formation of Pakistan in 1947.

There are some reports that Baloch Liberation Alliance killed Christian who are Punjabi but settled in Baluchistan.

Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, Federal Minister for Minorities was enjoying an Iftar Party in Islamabad when Christians in Punjab were receiving dead bodies of killed in Quetta. He was delivering lecture on harmony among religious communities with Islamic leaders in month of Ramadan.

The Quetta killing of Christians have spread fear among Christians in Pakistan and violence against Christian was condemned during funerals in Punjab and Quetta.

Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, Chief of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC have strongly condemned killing of Christians in Quetta and urged Pakistan government to ensure security for safety of life of 20 million Christians in Pakistan.

The Quetta police have registered FIR against unknown people on killing and injuring Christians. The condition of two injured is critical n hospital.

Pregnant Christian Dragged Naked through Pakistani Police Station Miscarries after Police Arrest Her for Theft without Evidence, Hold Her Three Days

http://www.persecution.org/suffering/newsdetail.php?newscode=10680


A pregnant Christian woman miscarried on July 26 after police beat her and dragged her naked through their police station in the Gujrat District of Punjab, Pakistan. Police had arrested her and a Muslim woman after their employer accused them of theft, but police did not even touch the Muslim woman.

The woman, Farzana Bibi, worked as a maid in the house of a wealthy Muslim. During a wedding held at the house, some jewelry was stolen from some of the landlord's female relatives. The police were called, and when they arrived at the scene they arrested two maids: Farzana and a Muslim woman named Rehana. Nazir Masih, Farzana's husband, said, "Police registered a fake theft case against my wife and Rehana without any proof."

Nazir went on to say that the police tortured his wife even though she told them she was pregnant. He told ICC, "Sub-Inspector Zulfiqar and Assistant Sub-Inspector Akhter subjected her to intense torture. They stripped off her clothes and dragged her naked around the compound of Cantonment Area Police Station in Kharian. They humiliated and tortured my wife, but did not do anything to Rehana."

Although Farzana complained of severe pain, the police ignored her pleas and detained her for another two days. When her condition became critical, the police finally transferred her to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Kharian, where she miscarried.

Nazir filed a report with the District Police Officer in Gujrat, detailing the abuse his wife received and her miscarriage. The District Office initiated an investigation after receiving the report, withdrawing the false accusations and suspending officers Zulfiqar and Akhter.

The authorities have pledged to punish all those responsible. Please pray that God would comfort Farzana and Nazir and that justice would be carried out. Please also call your Pakistani embassy and ask them to defend the rights of Christians.

Jeremy Sewall, ICC's Advocacy Director, said, "While we were not able to confirm whether Farzana was innocent of robbing her employers, it is absolutely unacceptable for police to humiliate her and abuse her so severely that she lost her child. The fact that the Muslim woman accused of the same thing was at least treated like a human being just proves again that if you are not a Muslim in Pakistan, you have no rights. The government should go beyond suspending the two officers guilty of this crime and try them for manslaughter."

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