EGN NEWS DESK
Muslim kin of the alleged killer of a 20-year-old Christian in Pakistan are threatening the sufferer’s household with dying if they don’t drop costs, sources mentioned.
Muhammad Zubair initially confessed to killing Farhan Ul Qamar in his home in Talwandi Inayat Khan village, Pasrur tehsil of Sialkot District, Punjab Province, capturing him within the presence of the Christian’s members of the family on Nov. 9, 2023. He later retracted his confession in court docket.
The sufferer’s father, Noor Ul Qamar, mentioned that on the night of March 18, his household was busy of their routine chores when six armed Muslims led by the alleged killer’s father, Afzal Bajwa, intruded into their home and held all of them at gunpoint.
“The intruders threatened us that if we don’t cease pursuing the case and attain a settlement with them to free Zubair from jail, they’d kill us all,” Ul Qamar informed Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.
The armed Muslims had been current of their home when one in every of Ul Qamar’s brothers, a pastor who lives within the neighborhood, known as police, he mentioned.
“God is aware of what would have occurred to us if the police hadn’t come on time and took the intruders into custody,” Ul Qamar mentioned. “I filed an utility for the registration of a case in opposition to them, however as an alternative the police launched the boys after just a few hours.”
The head of the police station informed him that he had let the armed Muslims off with a warning to not intimidate the household once more, Ul Qamar mentioned.
“The accused’s household has a prison background and are additionally politically influential, which is maybe why the police didn’t take any authorized motion in opposition to them,” he mentioned.
Area residents have suggested him not press costs relating to the armed break-in and dying risk because it might endanger his household, he mentioned.
“Zubair’s household began threatening me to withdraw the case a few months after they noticed that the hype across the homicide had settled down,” Ul Qamar informed Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “They first despatched reconciliatory messages via completely different folks, however once we refused, their tone grew to become extra aggressive, they usually threatened to kill me if I didn’t give up to their demand.”
On the evening of the killing, Zubair confirmed hatred for Christians and Jews, mistakenly referring to the household as Jews as he ranted at them earlier than killing Farhan Ul Qamar, members of the family mentioned. Police arrested Zubair from his residence just a few hours later, and whereas in police custody he confessed to killing the Christian. He is awaiting trial in Sialkot District Jail.
Though shaken, the household is set to pursue justice for the killer, Ul Qamar mentioned.
“Zubair’s elder brother and a paternal cousin had been gangsters and had been killed in police encounters,” he added. “Zubair additionally has a police file and was concerned in a number of heinous crimes earlier than he dedicated my son’s homicide. We know that if he isn’t punished in accordance with the legislation, no Christian household of our village will likely be secure from his violence.”
Among 20-25 different Christian households within the village, Ul Qamar’s household has resided within the space for generations, usually going through non secular bias and discrimination.
The youngest of Ul Qamar’s 4 youngsters, Farhan Ul Qamar had been enrolled in a four-year medical technician program and was enthusiastic about turning into a well being care skilled after commencement, however all their desires had been shattered in entrance of their eyes, the grieving father mentioned.
Tehmina Arora, director of advocacy in Asia of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, mentioned the crime is a reminder of the vulnerability of Christians in Pakistan.
“Mobs and particular person are emboldened as a result of, through the years, the Pakistani authorities has failed to make sure swift prosecution and justice for Christians who’ve been attacked of their properties and church buildings,” Arora mentioned. “Sadly, even after 10 years of the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court directing the federal government to undertake measures to make sure the safety of spiritual minorities, little has modified on the bottom.”
ADF International is supporting the impoverished household’s pursuit of justice via its allied lawyer, Lazar Allah Rakha. He expressed concern for the security of the sufferer’s household.
“Who will likely be accountable if any member of Ul Qamar’s household is harmed by the accused party?” Rakha informed Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “Families and mates of such criminals can go to any extent to avoid wasting them from the legislation. It’s unlucky that not solely the complainants but additionally their legal professionals and judges listening to the circumstances are threatened and attacked.”
He mentioned that Christians had been significantly susceptible in Punjab Province, the place they’re simply coerced into reaching settlements with suspects belonging to the Muslim majority.
“I concern that the state of affairs might turn into dangerous for them when the trial begins, as a result of the accused party will strive their greatest to affect and intimidate the complainant and prosecution witnesses,” Rakha mentioned. “It can be higher for them to relocate to a secure place throughout this important time, as a result of one can not depend on the police for his or her safety.”
ADF International’s Arora added that it was crucial that the Pakistani authorities take steps to make sure the safety of spiritual minorities, and that nobody is focused due to their religion.
Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors’ 2023 World Watch List of probably the most troublesome locations to be a Christian, up from eighth the earlier yr.
© 2024 Christian Daily International-Morning Star News
