Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rawalpindi (Agenzia Fides) - Protestant Pastor Zafar Bhatti, in prison in Rawalpindi since 2012 for alleged blasphemy, was not killed or hurt, as erroneously reported in Pakistan in recent days (see Fides 26/09/2014). In the attack perpetrated by a prison guard - who said he had acted out of "divine inspiration" - Muhammad Asghar, Scottish citizen, who suffers from mental illness and sentenced to death for blasphemy was seriously injured. The news was confirmed to Fides Agency by the "Justice and Peace" Commission of the Pakistani Bishops. Cecil Shane Chaudhry, Executive Director of the Commission, told Fides: "I can confirm that some members of my office, who went to Adiala prison in Rawalpindi, spoke with members of the Pastor’s family and then with Zafar himself". Family members are outraged at the false news of his death. The news of Bhatti’s murder had been spread by the NGO in Pakistan "Life for All" and then by numerous Pakistani media and international agencies.
Chaudhry told Fides: "I can say that it is really absurd how some organizations can disseminate such unconfirmed news and how media reports such news without verifying it. The situation is really embarrassing and traumatic for the family. We need humanitarian workers and more responsible journalists in Pakistan". The Christian lawyer Mushtaq Gill confirms to Fides that "our concern about incidents like what happened in the prison in Rawalpindi and for cases of extrajudicial executions remains alive". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 30/09/2014)
