APMA Chief condemns registration of blasphemy case against Hindu couple
By Angelina Bashir

ISLAMABAD—Shahbaz Bhatti, Chairman, All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) strongly condemned the registration of blasphemy case against a Hindu couple Mr. Chaman Lai and his wife Karishna at Swabi, NWFP. He urged the government to set up a Judicial Commission to probe the case.
He said, "Mr. Chaman Lai is a son of famous Hakim Gangahvaish and his family has been living in Sawbi village for over 120 years. The case of blasphemy under section 295B is registered against this Hindu couple without any investigation and solid evidence; even the victim family has rejected the allegations. The blasphemy case against the Hindu couple is baseless concocted and fabricated."
Mr. Bhatti said, "Registration of blasphemy case against Yousaf Masih of Nowshera and now the Hindu couple from Sawabi, without investigation and evidences, contradict governments' own claims of introduction of procedural amendment in the blasphemy law; according to which the blasphemy case will only be registered on the investigation report of higher police authorities. These cases vividly show that no procedural amendment is made in blasphemy law neither being implemented even it did exist. "
Mr. Bhatti said that the religious minorities are being roped in false cases under blasphemy law and murdered extra judicially. The religious extremists take the law in their hand and do not even wait for the judicial verdict. The judgments of superior courts have proved that blasphemy law is being ruthlessly abused for settling personal scores and religious persecution. The Blasphemy law is a naked sword hanging on the heads of non-Muslims in Pakistan. APMA chief emphasized that this law is against the religious freedom, universal declaration of human rights and freedom of expression. Religious minorities respects Holy Prophet and Holy books; they can never commit such acts those are punishable by death and forbidden by their own religions
Mr. Bhatti urged the government to provide security and "safe shelter" to the victim families of blasphemy law as they are compelled to leave their home and hearth to save their lives, where as the victims languish in prison. He demanded that the government should immediately abolish the blasphemy law and stop its growing misuse as this law is damaging the image of country and created fear and sense of insecurity among the religious minorities of Pakistan.