Pakistani Christian woman held on blasphemy charge
Submitted by Tarique on Sat, 2007-02-03 13:47. Muslim World News
Lahore, Feb 3 (IANS) A 40-year-old Christian woman has been charged with blasphemy in Chhanga Manga town in the Punjab after she entered the local mosque to demand payment for the supply of construction material.
Martha Bibi was put under arrest on Friday on a complaint made by Mohammad Dilbar. He named two of his acquaintances - Mohammad Aslam and Mohammad Ramzan - in the FIR (first information report) as witnesses to the alleged crime.
Dilbar accused Martha Bibi of blaspheming the Holy Prophet near the mosque. However, her relatives alleged that police had registered the case without investigation.
The police say she has been detained because local villagers could have killed her.
The incident has come to light even as President Pervez Musharraf has been making renewed efforts to push through a legislation that lighten the severity of the existing law, making all parties accountable in an investigation.
He had abandoned his earlier effort in 2002 following protests from the clergy and the conservatives.
The charge of blasphemy against the religious minorities is commonly used in Pakistan by people to settle scores. The courts generally rule against the accused for fear of public outcry.
Pakistan has been criticized in the West for being harsh on the minorities with such institutionalised arrangements that are guided by public pressures.
Zulfikar Gill, a district councillor in Kasur, told Dawn that he had urged the Kasur Superintendent of Police to carry out a 'thorough investigation' before reaching any conclusion. "But I was told that Martha was arrested to protect her from residents threatening to kill her and set her house on fire," he added.
"We can't allow people to desecrate the name of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The complaint lodged against her is true," said Chhanga Manga Police Station SHO Reza Shah.
"Had we not arrested her, the people would have killed her."
Martha's relatives accused the police of "playing the judge and the jury". Her family has gone into hiding.