Muslim family of the alleged killer of a 20-year-old Christian in Pakistan are threatening the sufferer's household with dying until he drops the fees, sources mentioned.
Muhammad Zubair initially confessed to killing Farhan Ul Qamar at his dwelling in Talwandi Inayat Khan village, Pasrur tehsil of Sialkot district, Punjab province, taking pictures him lifeless within the presence of the Christian's relations on 9 November 2023. He later retracted his confession in a court docket of regulation.
The sufferer's father, Noor Ul Qamar, mentioned that on the night of March 18, his household was busy with their routine family chores when six armed Muslims led by the alleged killer's father, Afzal Bajwa, barged into their home and held all of them at gunpoint.
“The intruders threatened us that if we don't cease pursuing the case and attain a settlement with them to free Zubair from jail, they are going to kill us all,” Ul Qamar instructed Christian Day by day Worldwide-Morning Star Information.
Armed Muslims had been current of their dwelling when considered one of Ul Qamar's brothers, a pastor who lives within the neighborhood, referred to as the police, he mentioned.
“God is aware of what would have occurred to us if the police had not are available time and brought the intruders into custody,” Ul Qamar mentioned. “I utilized to register a case in opposition to them, however as a substitute the police launched the person after a number of hours.
The top of the police station instructed him to let the armed Muslims go along with a warning to not terrorize the household once more, Ul Qamar mentioned.
“The household of the accused has a prison previous and can also be politically influential, maybe that’s the reason the police didn’t take any authorized motion in opposition to them,” he mentioned.
Space residents suggested him to not press fees in reference to the armed housebreaking and dying threats as a result of it may endanger his household, he mentioned.
“Zubair's household began threatening me to withdraw the case a number of months after they noticed that the hype surrounding the homicide had settled down,” Ul Qamar instructed Christian Day by day Worldwide-Morning Star Information. “At first they despatched conciliatory messages via numerous folks, however once we refused, their tone turned extra aggressive and threatened to kill me if I didn’t give in to their demand.
On the night time of the killing, Zubair confirmed hatred for Christians and Jews and mistakenly referred to the household as Jews when he shouted at them earlier than killing Farhan Ul Qamar, relations mentioned. Police arrested Zubair from his home hours later and whereas in police custody, he confessed to killing the Christian. He’s awaiting trial within the Sialkot District Jail.
Though the household is shaken, they’re decided to hunt justice for the killer, Ul Qamar mentioned.
“Zubair's elder brother and paternal cousin had been gangsters and had been killed in an encounter with the police,” he added. “Zubair additionally has a police document and was concerned in a number of heinous crimes earlier than he dedicated my son's homicide. We all know that if he’s not punished in response to the regulation, no Christian household in our village might be protected from his violence.”
Among the many 20-25 different Christian households within the village, Ul Qamar's household has lived within the space for generations, usually going through non secular prejudice and discrimination.
The youngest of Ul Qamar's 4 youngsters, Farhan Ul Qamar, was enrolled in a four-year medical technician program and was excited to turn into a paramedic after commencement, however all their desires had been shattered earlier than their eyes, the grieving father mentioned. .
Tehmina Arora, Asia Advocacy Director for Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) Worldwide, mentioned the crime was a reminder of the vulnerability of Christians in Pakistan.
“Mobs and people are emboldened as a result of the Pakistani authorities has failed over time to make sure swift prosecution and justice for Christians who’ve been attacked of their houses and church buildings,” Arora mentioned. “Sadly, even 10 years after the Supreme Courtroom's landmark judgment ordering the federal government to take measures to make sure the safety of non secular minorities, little has modified in apply.”
ADF Worldwide helps the impoverished household's quest for justice via its affiliate lawyer Lazar Allah Rakh. He expressed concern for the security of the sufferer's household.
“Who might be accountable for any member of Ul Qamar's household being harmed by the accused occasion?” Rakha instructed Christian Day by day Worldwide-Morning Star Information. “Households and associates of such criminals will go to any size to avoid wasting them from the regulation. It’s unlucky that not solely the complainants but in addition their legal professionals and the judges listening to the instances are being threatened and attacked.”
He mentioned Christians are notably susceptible in Punjab province, the place they’re simply compelled to achieve settlements with Muslim-majority suspects.
“I’m afraid that the scenario could turn into dangerous for them as soon as the trial begins because the accused occasion will strive their greatest to affect and intimidate the complainants and prosecution witnesses,” Rakha mentioned. “It could be higher for them to maneuver to a protected place at this significant time as a result of the police can’t be relied upon for his or her security.”
ADF Worldwide's Arora added that it’s crucial that the Pakistani authorities takes steps to make sure that non secular minorities are protected and that nobody is focused for his or her religion.
Pakistan was ranked seventh on the Open Door 2023 World Watch Listing of probably the most troublesome locations to be a Christian, up from eighth the earlier 12 months.
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