Several men and women were arrested outside Christian Life Ministries Church in Faisalabad on May 19th 2016. The incident took place at a place
called Christian Town; which is a predominantly Christian locality of the city. Witnesses have spoken to the BPCA and have advised us that the arrests
were apparently conducted under anti-terrorism laws, after local Christians had a scuffle with the undisciplined Police officers who were deployed
at the church as a measure of protection for parishioners.
During the calamity police contingents from Gulberg police station and others collaborated to arrest dozens of Christians.
Local Christians say that the situation developed after some of the women at the church were being ogled and harassed by Police officers.
The young men from the church intervened to protect these women an act that was deemed a terrorist act by local Police.
Those arrested from the church include the ex-Member of Punjab Assembly, Kamal Chughtai and dozens of others including women.
Christians residing in the Christian Town have fled as they fear further police raids in the area.
Christian men have allegedly been subjected to inhumane torture at the hands of the local police, including having been hung by their ankles and beaten
with sticks. Police have registered First Incident Reports (FIR) against all those arrested which state they have been involved in acts of terrorism.
Most of the victims have been released after pressure from Christian leaders and NGO’s including the BPCA.
However a poverty-stricken Christian, Pervaiz Younus Khokhar arrested from outside a church in the Christian Town area in Faisalabad is still behind
the bars.
Kamal Chughtai, said:
“I heard the commotion outside the church and came out to see what was wrong. When I tried to bring peace and settle the dispute, I found myself being arrested with other Christians who were also trying to calm down the agitated policemen.”
Christians from across Pakistan organised a protest on 23rd May 2016 calling for protecting against the tyranny of Pakistani Police officers. They demanded a review of the use of the recently adopted anti-terrorism laws within the Terrorism Act. They have been prtoesting for the release of all the innocent Christians who remain in detention. During the protest Kamal Chaughtai Ex -MPA was suffering heavy blood pressure and ear pain and has now been admitted to hospital, please pray for this situation and pray for Kamal Chaughtai.
Our Officer Naveed Aziz attended the protest and met with victims. He said:
“These arrests were made under a clear abuse of the countries anti-terrorism laws and have caused great suffering to local Christians. The torture of innocent people has riled local Christians who desperately want justice.”
Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the BPCA, said:
“The anti-terrorism laws of Pakistan were hailed as an opportunity to end extremism in the country. Yet this attack on an innocent Christian community highlights the pervading corruption of the police and other statutory authorities. Moreover I am also reminded of how an innocent Christian man
Aftab Bahadur was hung for a crime he could not have possibly committed, after these anti-terrorism measures removed the moratorium on the death sentence in Pakistan
(click here). Thus far implementation of the new laws has impacted negatively on Christians. A review on anti-terrorism laws should be initiated with immediate effect so that other Christians are not persecuted in similar fashion.”
Pervez Younus comes from an extremely impoverished background and his family is extremely apprehensive about his unwarranted detention.
His family have urged local authorities to take note of his unjustified arrest and have demanded his immediate release.
Sadly Pervez is the sole bread winner for his family and his incarceration has left his family out of pocket and in dire straits
The BPCA would like to offer help to the family and to provide the necessary legal aid to Pervez to help enact his release. To initiate legal
aid we require to raise £400 for a solicitor. We would also like to offer £200 for the family while they try to survive during the loss of
income caused by Pervez’s time behind bars. If you would like to donate (click here).
