Long wait: Sisters kill alleged blasphemer

Police confirmed a case had been registered under Section 295-C at Pasrur City police station 13 years ago.

SIALKOT: An alleged blasphemer was killed by three burqa-clad sisters at his house in Pasrur, Sialkot. Police said Amna, Afshan and Razia went to the house of Mazhar Hussain Syed, a faith healer, in Nangal Mirza village and asked him to pray for their future. The women also inquired about Mazhar’s son Fazal Abbas, 45, who had recently returned from Belgium. When Fazal came out to meet the women, they opened fire at him, killing him on the spot. The sisters alleged the deceased had committed blasphemy in 2004. Police confirmed a case had been registered against Fazal under Section 295-C at Pasrur City police station 13 years ago. The suspect fled abroad but returned recently from Belgium and formally joined police force after getting pre-arrest bail in the case by a court. Deputy Commissioner Dr Asif Tidal said police have arrested the alleged murderers. During interrogation, the accused women told the police that Fazal had committed blasphemy long ago when they were too young to kill him, but they had vowed to kill him whenever they got a chance.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 22^nd, 2017.