Blasphemy case: Statements of PWs recorded

Additional district and sessions judge fixes January 4 for further proceedings.

LAHORE: An additional district and sessions judge on Monday fixed January 4 for further proceedings after recording the statements of the last prosecution witness in the Sawan Masih blasphemy case. The court had written to Balochistan Constabulary in Quetta asking Syed Ameen Bukhari, who was the investigation officer of the case before he was transferred, to appear for hearings.  Bukhari wrote to the court saying he was busy with election duties. He promised to appear on a later date. Shahid Imran, in his FIR, said he was walking home early morning and met his neighbour Muhammad Shafique. He said they were chatting when Sawan Masih approached them and used derogatory language against Islam before he fled.  Imran filed a complaint against Masih under Section 295/C of the Pakistan Penal Code at the Badami Bagh police station.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2013.