Pakistani Christian protestors after church bombing
Pakistani Christian protestors after church bombingREUTERS/Akhtar Soomro

The Pakistani Center for Law and Justice reports that on June 15, 2017, Muhammad Ishtiaq, son of Haji Muhammad Rafique of the Miraasi caste, came into the shop of Ashfaq Masih, son of Yaqoob Masih, resident of Green Town, Baghariyan Road, Lahore, Pakistan, to get his bicycle repaired, which Masih did, and requested payment.

Ishtiaq replied that “I am a Sadhu person and you should have to give me free services,” but Masih said, “I only believe in Jesus Christ not others, so please give me the payment since I repaired your bicycle.”

Upon hearing this, Ishtiaq accused Masih of using abusive words against the holy prophet, an unpardonable microagression, and lodged an FIR (First Information Report) against Masih under section 295C PPC in the police station of Green Town, Baghariya Road, Lahore.

According to the FIR, Muhammad Ishtiaq, the complainant, claimed that on June 15, 2017 at approximately 12 PM, Masih was sitting in his shop and using abusive words against the holy prophet.

As if this were not enough, Muhammad Irfan, son of Muhammad Mumtaz of the Mughal caste, Muhammad Nawaz, son of Muhammad Taajdeen, of the Raajpoot caste, Muhammad Naveed, son of Muhammad Ashraf of unspecified caste, and others went together into the shop of Ashfaq Masih and told him to stop this nonsense, but he kept right on abusing the prophet.

The FIR was lodged with police and Masih has been sent to jail.

The Pakistani Center for Law and Justice will provide the family legal and financial support for their case.