ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has taken notice of the report stating that a minor Christian girl in Islamabad was arrested on the charges of blasphemy and asked the Interior Ministry to present a report to him.
It was earlier reported that 11-year-old Christian girl Ramsha was arrested and sent to jail for allegedly desecrating pages from the Holy Quran.
Some reports, however, also said that the girl was burning used papers collected from garbage for cooking when someone entered her house and accused her family of burning the pages of Holy Quran.
After the incident, people of the area gathered together and beat the mother and sister of Ramsha and also burnt few houses of other Christians. The Christian population is reported to have fled the area, while the police arrested Ramsha’s mother and sister.
Spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the president has taken serious note of the incident and called for report from the Interior Ministry. Zardari said that blasphemy by anyone cannot be condoned but no one will be allowed to misuse the blasphemy law for settling personal scores.
Farhatullah Babar said that the president called for a report within 24 hours and directed the authorities to protect the life and property of everyone and that no one should be allowed to take the law into his hands. The president also called for protecting every one particularly the vulnerable sections of society from any misuse of the blasphemy law.
In 2011, Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer was shot dead by his own security guard for standing up for Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death over blasphemy allegations.
COMMENTS (59)
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amusing comments to say the least.dear commenters for once stop surfing in the usual stream for once and stop ridiculing your own men.open up your eyelids and your mind to comprehend the scenario. dont you think these everyday blasphemies are getting just too common in our society. you always say that muslims use this law to settle their scores.and you never even once think of anything else or any other side of the story.this is hypocritical to say the least.
very strange that notice of arrest is taken by usa but no body took notice of children killing in burma...
In most countries on this Planet minors below 14 years do not have man's rea(the quilty mind) in order to be punished.
As I learned from the article,the girl is MENTALLY INCAPABLE(in the language of the lawyers) and therefore she can not commit an actus reus.
Children and mentally disabled people are NOT punishable acc.to the Penal Code.
It is worrying,that some Pakistani think they are the LAW and they have the right to punish other people.
In a civilized society only the courts have the right to give punishments..
why CJ is silent on the issue .
Zardari kick him out .
Welcome to the reality of Pakistan where nothing make sense. They are worst than stoneage.
@Random: The girl has Down Syndrome. For some reasons, this article doesn't mention it, but most other News outlets do. Also, the accusation comes from ONE neighbor and there's no actual proof that she was burning the Quaran. This is just an excuse from Muslims to attack defenseless Christians.
".....no one will be allowed to misuse the blasphemy law for settling personal scores." Empty words from an empty man to a nation full of hatred.
She is mentally handicapped. She should not have been sent to prison! We should be rallying against this ridiculous Justice system and fighting for that poor girl. I am muslim, burning the Quran is a horrible and sinful action to partake in, but this is a confused little girl. It doesn't matter what religion she's from. Islam teaches us forgiveness and to think before we act. All the Pakistani community is showing the Muslim and Non-muslim world is how barbaric and inconsiderate we are as human beings and Muslims. I feel sorry for the Christian community for being treated so harshly and negatively. "Oh it's Christmas, let's attack the entire Muslim community because they shouldn't be happy when we're meant to be celebrating." said no one. Ever.
i have to say that we all are Pakistani as Quaid u all are one nation i want to ask question to all my Muslims brothers and sisters why you killing the Christians in Pakistan. America is a Christian Country its give you donations and when Muslims were killing in India no Islamic country takes action against it but America send his force to India to stop killed innocents Muslim and also in Burma you have see any Muslim country takes action against them also American and Europeans say that its wroog stop killing Muslims we show the respect for Muslims so please stop donig that i know u dont kill but say to those people who do that
Thanks Hon.Mr.President of Pakistan Hon.Mr.Asif Ali Zardari for taking notice of the case of little girl of 11 years who has no one to help.Its the real role of a just ruler.May God Bless you And we the Christian asure you our prayers and support if you continue helping us the same way.Once again thanks.God helps those who help the helpless.
Headline news in the online edition of most Australian newspapers
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/girl-with-downs-syndrome-accused-of-blasphemy-in-pakistan/story-e6frg6so-1226453819943
We are the most 'hated' nation on this planet.. Dont bury your heads in the sand. Understand that only "WE" are responsible for the mess that we are in ! A nation of intolerant zealots.
Haris
In the Name of Allah.. the Most Powerful and Merciful. We are think exactly same as Anti Islam and Anti Pakistani wants This is very sensitive matter So i request don't consider single side.
To a very poor family a person came give money and ask them to perform certain act.. on next day when when they are doing other man came and beat them for doing that act which is according wrong.. 1st question how the second person come to known that they going to do wrong act at specific time and place?? 2nd question what they both get from of this short story ?? 1st ans This is whole plotted story. 2nd ans All the negative and against view develop in the name of Islam and Pakistan.
Shouldn't blasphemy be a constitutional right of non-Muslims in Pakistan? Isn't it true that blasphemy could only be committed by Muslims but not by non-Muslims? Non-Muslims are considered non-Muslims because they commit blashpemy and hold unIslamic beliefs (shirk, kufr, etc.), otherwise they would be considered Muslims!!!!!
It's good to know that the president has taken notice of the matter..the people who took law into their handsmust be brought to justice. These jahilz must be dealt with iron fists...
We all may not be PPPs voters but lets give credit to Zardari for atleast giving this issue an official status.. I wish he should have done more but at least he has the courage to take a stand unlike many other politicians of this country who remain silent on cases like these if not support the extremists.. But again this does not justifies any of other Zardari's acts for which he must be held accountable.. Lets speak out against this injustice and play our part in making this country a better place to live in..
Mr.Zardari always takes notice, no action and complete silence afterwards. He just take notice to safe his face from the whole world. My prayers are with that child , her family and with all christians living in Pakistan. May God keep them safe.
@Shahid: I have seen many national flags of Pakistan that does not show white border. It has noly the moon and star in white color.
Am besieged with amazement the stunning comments about tolerance for the minorities in Pakistan which are non existent Comments are nice guys what are you, yes each one of you doing to protect minorities in your town, city area besides messaging the comment section of this article. Spread among your selves and think about it: NOTHING!
I still hate you Zardari :/
This is why it has been said that Pakistan has the best senators and congress money can buy
@Hairaan: please stick to the topic.
Lets give the 'white' in our national flag some respect!
This same blasphemy law should be applied for misuse as well. Capital punishment and no less. It's better we get rid of these jahils from Islam.
Zardari repeatedly took notice of carnage in karachi, yet nothing ever changed
Despite pin drop silence by most parties on this tyranny on minorities a Bravo one Mr President .. Two thumbs for you sir
"President Zardari takes notice of Christian girl jailed for blasphemy" - and does WHAT?
President even asked for a report for forced coversion of that 13 year old girl just a week or so ago. Then what?
ONLY thing in favour of Mr Zardari is that at least he has taken notice of it - unlike "secular" CJ!
May GOD help the poor girl with Downs syndrome and her Mom and sister - in this land of Purest of Pure! My heart weeps for her.
My heart sinks and can't express myself /w words. This is a tragedy beyond burning Qur'an in Texas.
A girl with DS, and people do this??????
I pray for the world to end, not because it should; but at least something like this will not happen again : - ( ..p
@ hairan I am surprised that people of your mentality can read and write ONE of the main reasons for the state minorities are is right wing judiciary that is paralysed because of ZARDAI virus .It has no guts to give justice to the poor and vulnerable so people feel safe taking aw in their hands
I have no words, and I hope no one does. I have been fixated on this story and sad for a while.
How can one reconcile with words from ET:
.... "Some reports, however, also said that the girl was burning used papers collected from garbage for cooking when someone entered her house and accused her family of burning the pages of Holy Quran."
and
"The Christian population is reported to have fled the area, while the police arrested Ramsha’s mother and sister."
Let us call what it is. Hatred, period.... It happens everywhere in the world, but our country has mastered it.
Even a corrupt person like Zardari has some human values. This may be the good deed that saves him. Unfortunately, cannot expect any humanity from the Taliban school of thought.
Hairaan. This is way more important issue than NRO .I wish more people and political parties take this seriously .
My respect for President Zadari has just increased greatly...we are all put on this earth to help children like this, not to persecute them...
Terrible incident!
This girl has Down's syndrome. These children are mentally challenged. It should be shameful for the people who protested and wanted to punish her even if she was responsible for burning some pages of "noorani Qaida" as it has been reported. you can only punish people who are of sound minds and intentionally committ a crime. In fact these vigilantes and religious fanatics should be punished for targeting the minorities.
We can't stand minorities in our country and we want the rights of minorities in burma and other countries....
Dear AZ kindly also take notice of the SC decisions on the NRO implementation.
In 2011, Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer was shot dead by his own security guard for standing up for Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death over blasphemy allegations.
That just shows Pakistan is a dangerous place, any one standing up for victims of Blasphemy or for abolishing Blasphemy can be sent to the maker without any questions being asked.
Things can change only if International media gets involved. International media saved quiet a few people like Mukhtar Mai. saved few women from stoning, save some women from female circumcision.
Some people are very good at spreading false information. They even use fake photos to show how people of their religion are being killed.
@Syme, Haha? zardari khapay? But Pakistan na khapay. He took notice of that issue but he failed to take notice of all the other bad things happening in Pakistan in last 5 years. Electricity, corruption, messing with judiciary, creating hurdles to not return Pakistanis money from Swiss bank accounts.
Zardari seems sane to only those people who sleep at night with big CAT diesel generators on. Ask a common man who has to sleep in 10 hours loadshedding and you'll know how much the common man loves this govt.
Talk some sense.
No doubt his Ambassadors to the Western countries have been calling telling him that once again Pakistan has shot itself in the foot.
President has not taken any practical steps, what good is his notice?
there is a second part of this Blasphemy Law , " QAZF " ... wrong accusers ,or accusers will malafide intent should immediately be booked under this law , and anyone who has been wrongly accused of such , should insist on booked the accusers for this , ..in this way ,after proving their innocent , the accusers then faces the same penalties , 20-30 such accusers then punished under the QAZF law , will be the deterrent for any misadventure or misusing the laws for personal score settling .
Takes notice............amounts to doing nothing.
so.... the Burning of Quran is allowed???..... ignorant fascists get a life.... its a crime & should be dealt with honestly...
atleast some hope...thankyou zardari....
Pakistani Law Makers should repeal this "BLASPHEMY LAW"......
The God, Prophet (PBUH) never desire punishment for someone who use bad words and actions against them, then who the Hell few ignorant people can be judges for God.....Its a great Joke...in fact a great sin.....Please be rational and understand beauty and love of religion not protect it with hatred and scare others.......
Where are these Mullahs and their Blasphemy laws, when Saudi Arabian forces secretly cracked down in Bahrain and burned all Shia Mosques with burning Holy Quran....
DON'T BE CUSTODIANS OF RELIGION....Personal business suits better than pointing fingers on others....
Eid Mubarak to our non-muslim brothers and sisters. Shame on the people of our supposed "Land of the Pure" - call it Jahilistan instead! The people who perpetrated this crime should be the ones charged for blasphemy because that is what they have committed - oh, forgot, they have never read the Quran!!
Zardari is the only true man and leader in this otherwise God-ridden mullah-infested country! I love him so much...so proud of my president!
Just think about this society who is not willing to pay forgiveness to the person with disability and her education That girl is never ever saw School and the School life, She has a pages but how the complainant come to know that there are Holy Pages? and now she is in a jail on 14 days Judicial remand. Who has won? Humanity or the person who involve her?
OK so who barges in someones houses? How did that person know what was being burned. Something is cooking, fishy here. Land grabbers/mafia. Personal enmity? The evidence has been burnt so no one will know the facts anyways.
the last para seems to be a tongue in cheek reminder to those standing for minorities of a bitter consequence.
If you need to suspend cellular service - first take cabinet in to confidence and then call party meeting to specify areas and they convince local population of the need - just because you are close to few generals - do not behave as Zia's child and don't treat us like slaves - 11yrs old in prison, persecutions and massacre under your nose - we ask for your resignation Mr. Rehman Malik!
Don't know whether Mr Lockedaway from awam's 'taking notice' means anything at all to the poor hapless Christians who are the only thing the majority can find to slaughter this Eid...bakras being fattened for the bigger festival later. But at least he's gone one up on the devious and wicked opposition like Nawaz and Imran who haven't had the guts to say anything driven only by their lust for power.
Zardai Khappy. PPP is the only sane voice in parliament.
Thank God for small favors. The President has taken interest. I say have the courage and tell the world that blasphemy law needs to be scratched. Completely. I am surprised that MLN and IK keep mum about such atrocities, not to mention the CJ who took notice when somebody was caught bringing alcohol from abroad. Surely life is more important than a sip of the juices. On this Eid day , let us stand up against this brutal law.
No words to condemn.........
How about on Eid we show some sympathy for our fellow citizens and stop burning their houses for a day.
I feel sad for this girl...Although what she did was totally wrong, I'm a non muslim and I do respect Islam so burning Quran is definitely wrong. Ye I don't know how an eleven years old kid would do such thing intentionally ..However I do feel that beating this girl or mom and burning the houses of other Christians is simply wrong and you can't just punish whole Christianity for what she did..
On a side note: Being a non muslim, why would I keep Quran in my house :S
Taking notice does not mean anything and will certainly not change anything. Deal with these kind of people forcefully, close down the madrassas and control what the rabid mullahs preach. If that doesn't help, give more bases to USA to launch drone strikes. This sectarian violence, cruelty for minorities has to be stamped out along with the exremists to preserve Pakistan.