Christian man in Lahore arrested over allegations of blasphemy

[HAIDER]

A Christian bicycle mechanic in Lahore was arrested on June 15 over allegations of blasphemy after he became involved in a dispute regarding payment for services rendered to a customer, police said Thursday.

Human rights activist Napoleon Qayyum told Dawn that Ashfaq Masih ─ a resident of Mariam Colony in Green Town, Lahore ─ was working at a repair shop in the Bagarhian suburb of the city when Muhammad Ishfaq, a resident of the same area, had his bicycle repaired by him.

The two became embroiled in a heated argument when Masih demanded Rs35-40 for his services and Ishfaq requested that Masih reduce the price as he is a poor man, Qayyum said.

The disagreement escalated when Masih refused to lower the fee, reminding the bicycle owner that he was a poor man himself and needed the money as well, according to the rights activist.

After a crowd gathered to witness the incident, unidentified individuals levelled accusations of blasphemy against Masih, prompting further escalation of the already-tense situation, Qayyum claimed.

Police, who were called to the scene, arrived and arrested Masih, shifting him to the Green Town police station.

Station House Officer (SHO) of Green Town police station Wasim Akhtar confirmed to Dawn that a blasphemy case had been registered against Masih on June 15 after his arrest.

The Pak Center for Law and Justice is investigating the case.
dawn.com

 

[StraightShooter]

Why did the mechanic fight? Didn't the customer say that he was poor ? He should have listen to the customer instead of fighting. Very foolish decision which could now take his life.

 

[Musafir117]

Why did the mechanic fight? Didn't the customer say that he was poor ? He should have listen to the customer instead of fighting. Very foolish decision which could now take his life.

He poor as well SO?

 

[Hamzay]

Now once again, Dawn is there with its cheap drive against blasphemy laws. This dubious news group is so sure about the story that it published it while the investigations are on. What if it's a real case of blasphemy? Are you going to say sorry?

 

[TheLahoriGuy]

Now once again, Dawn is there with its cheap drive against blasphemy laws. This dubious news group is so sure about the story that it published it while the investigations are on. What if it's a real case of blasphemy? Are you going to say sorry?

Are your feelings hurt ?

 

[Divergent]

Blasphemy laws are misused and this incident is just one of the many examples. State should ensure all civilian rights are protected and a labourer asking for his due wage should be paid the amount owed to him. No ifs and buts about that.

Secondly, before anyone gets any kind of work done the costs are ALWAYS mentioned prior to the task. Therefore this individual was fully aware of what the costs were and AGREED simultaneously or non-verbally if he went ahead. Anyone who goes ahead with a job once costs are mentioned has agreed to the terms. To then argue afterwards is unreasonable, to fight over it is pushing boundaries.

One would not be surprised if the Islamic Faith isn't portrayed well infront of non-Muslims because some followers in practice/actions show very little teachings of the values it upholds. This then may provoke the opposition to be forced to say 'is this what your Faith teaches you?' - a mere question which'd land them in deep trouble. But let's be honest, would this question offend the person had it come from someone belonging to the same Faith as them? No.

Notice how the accusers were Unidentified? Not associated to the incident. So-called Muslims against non-Muslim situation seems to play a role here. Muslims shouldn't be supporting blindly just because they share same Faith but stick to what's morally correct and be just. That is the biggest message of Faith. Be Just. Be correct. Be Truthful even if it's against yourself.

I've mentioned this before and I'll say it again, Blasphemy Laws need a review asap.

 

[punit]

for 40 rs !

 

[Zyzz]

for 40 rs !

the cost of his life.

 

[Sky lord]

@The_Showstopper

 

[sbh02]

The state cannot perform its basic duty of protecting the lives of innocent civilians, yet it is always there in these alleged cases of blasphemy.

 

[El Sidd]

What the hell?

The amount of hysteria created over this is as stupid as one gets. The case will be decided in court and that will be it.

This is just a sad attempt to fashion controversy out of petty affairs to create a bigger chaos. A cheap cheap tactic.
What has his 'Christian' religion to do with the news? It a freakin law which applies to every citizen of Pakistan.

Well the usual suspects will dive in here and just start bashing the laws while their partners in 'Fassad' the religious bigots will demand immediate blood.

Both the extremes are just milking the society to fame and blame each other.

You think people do not see through this BS but i have news for you. They do and both you extremes will crumble down to dust when time arises.

No one will come here and say 'Look the police came and there was no indecent escalation' or 'Good the law works in actually calming down the situation' or 'Look they called the police they are trusting the law and the governance'.

None will do that.

Pathetic fodders of fashion and slaves of the FINGER

 

[Jaanbaz]

Get rid of blasphemy law. If your feelings are hurt and makes you kill someone over it then the fault lies in you not in some poor Christian mechanic.

 

[BATMAN]

A Christian bicycle mechanic in Lahore

There are no bicycle mechanics in Lahore.
Any picture / address of his shop? I can run a quick check if this part is correct or not!

 

[The_Showstopper]

@The_Showstopper

So? As asked previously, is that your gold standard?

 

[lastone]

What the hell?

The amount of hysteria created over this is as stupid as one gets. The case will be decided in court and that will be it.

This is just a sad attempt to fashion controversy out of petty affairs to create a bigger chaos. A cheap cheap tactic.
What has his 'Christian' religion to do with the news? It a freakin law which applies to every citizen of Pakistan.

Well the usual suspects will dive in here and just start bashing the laws while their partners in 'Fassad' the religious bigots will demand immediate blood.

Both the extremes are just milking the society to fame and blame each other.

You think people do not see through this BS but i have news for you. They do and both you extremes will crumble down to dust when time arises.

No one will come here and say 'Look the police came and there was no indecent escalation' or 'Good the law works in actually calming down the situation' or 'Look they called the police they are trusting the law and the governance'.

None will do that.

Pathetic fodders of fashion and slaves of the FINGER

Yeh but a poor man now sits in jail while his family starves because he asked for 25 inr for work done.
This law has to go but who am i to speak when everyother day some muslim in india is being killed because of fights over train seats and beef.