LAHORE: Police said Saturday they have arrested a Christian man who went into hiding after being accused of committing blasphemy.
Qaisar Ayub was arrested in Lahore and is being held in a police station in Talagang town, around 300 kilometres southeast, where a case was registered against him three years ago.
"We are investigating the accused over blasphemy charges filed against him in 2011," local police official Khurram Hussain told AFP, adding Ayub was shifted to Talagang days after he was arrested in his native Lahore.
Ayub, who in his 40s, was accused of allegedly posting blasphemous messages on a Christian website that he was moderating.
"In 2011, a local resident of Talagang filed an application with the police accusing Ayub of using derogatory language against the Prophet (PBUH) on his website", Hussain said.
The policeman said the accused, a computer science graduate, went into hiding after the case was filed against him.
"The accused was declared absconder by a session court in Talagang in 2012 and since then the police has been searching for the accused", Hussain said.
Mobeen Ahmed, another senior police official, confirmed his arrest.
Blasphemy is a hugely sensitive issue in Pakistan, with even unproven allegations often prompting mob retribution.
Those who take part in violent attacks are rarely if ever prosecuted -- a fact not lost upon the relatives of the deceased.
On November 4, a Christian couple, Shehzad and Shama, were beaten by a mob of 1,500 people then thrown on top of a lit furnace in a crazed reaction to rumours they had thrown pages of the Holy Quran into the garbage.
The horrific incident sparked outrage and protests across Pakistan. Police have arrested more than 40 suspects.
COMMENTS (13)
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This blasphemy law and the police and judiciary acting expediently to arrest the accused created an impression that Islam is a religion fit only for uncivilized, illiterate, rustic mobs.
@Raj - USA: Amazing!have missed the news,but read it after googling.In a country preaching violence and intolerance as a way of life,and where Hindu and Hinduism is vilified even in text-books,this was expected.
@Sun Tzu: Art of Living Foundation had a branch in Lahore. They had over 10,000 members. Almost all of its members are educated, holding moderate views and from middle income group or affluent section of the population. Art of Living teaches Yoga and breathing exercises and nothing on hinduism or any religion. Importantly, they teach how to get rid of anger and hate for anyone and everyone, bring calmness to your mind, be happy and at peace with yourself. They do not utter a word on any religion and they have centers throughout the world, including many in USA. They have several centers in UAE. They teach the same Yoga and breathing exercises in their centers Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Few months back one UK educated prominent TV anchor and Bureau Chief of a TV channel, had a special TV talk show to discuss about Art of Living Foundation and other NGO's in Pakistan. Throughout the show, he showed repeatedly members of Art of Living performing Yoga and breathing exercises. He inferred that the yoga postures they were holding resembled hindu way of praying. Even when member of Art of Living Foundation clarified, he refused to accept and ended his TV show with a strong message of hate for Art of Living. In just two or three days time, mobs burnt down the entire Art of Living Foundation building in Lahore. Even if Art of Living Foundation had been preaching Hinduism, would an educated person portraying him to be progressive have that much hate and contempt?
The point I am making is that you will find a significant section of the educated who portray themselves as moderates and progressive being actually the opposite. It is because of these that talibans are thriving in Pakistan. The poor and the labor class who strive for their daily living have nothing to do with this sorts of extremism. Those who have nothing to do and do not need to toil for their living are the ones that promote taliban types.
Our Govt. doesn't have the guts to repeal this antique law. For all we know this is also being sponsored by the uncivilized Saudi masters. Disgraceful indeed.
If the function of a law and punishment is deterrence, then blasphemy law is a farce.How can 100 times more people start committing blasphemy suddenly when the punishment was changed to death and life imprisonment.?Police should be catching the terrorists than spend time on hunting blasphemers anyway.
There are other priorities that the police should be working on, apprehending thieves, protecting citizen, maintaining law and order and not wasting time on going after mostly falsely accused Christian, blasphemy has become a cruel joke in Pakistan. Zia-ul-haq made sure that we remember him after he is gone.
One Police constable will kill him in Jail one day and will become hero over day. Spend whole life in filth and then kill a non-believer and go to Jannah. Are we mad or God does not know your cheap tricks?
Wow. Isn't it weird how quickly the police can act against people who allegedly commit blasphemy but not against people who rape or other actual crimes?
oh my God! when is this country going to grow up?
Either scrap the blasphemy law in Pakistan or make it applicable for all the citizens of your country.. It is not that these non-muslim people have come from other countries seeking asylum in a country like Pakistan. They too are citizens of the country and should be given equal preference by the government. A country can progress only if it treats all its citizens in equal.
If needed, you can take lessons from India. Though we admit there were few unfortunate incidents, our constitution guarantees equal rights to all its citizen.. A muslim or christian of anyone can become the President, Prime minister, Army chief or cricket captain of this country.
I fail to understand this. Why would you expect a 'non-believer' to say just amazing thigs about your religion? Do you only say 'nice things' about their? If we are to have blasphemy laws they should work both ways. Start prosecuting Muslims who say derogatory stuff about Jesus, Moses, Rama & Krishna etc etc..... If you have expectations from them, they have expectations from you.
Peace!
entire nation seems to be obsessed with religion....
Welcome to Blasphemistan.........the new name of Pakistan