LAHORE: The Pakistan Christian Action Committee (PCAC) representing different Churches in Pakistan on Friday protested on The Mall against the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for torturing Sajid Masih during interrogation.

The protest, joined by members of rights groups and civil society organizations, condemned ‘flawed’ investigation, torture and inhuman treatment meted out to Patras Masih and Sajid Masih

Church of Pakistan Bishop Azad Marshall and Bishop Irfan Jamil, Catholic Church Fr. Qasir Ferooz, United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan Rev. Amjad Niamat, Eternal Life ministry Rev. Riaz Malik, SAP-PK Irfan Mufti, Bushra Khaliq WISE urged the government to check the violation human and fundamental rights.

Bishop Azad Marshall demanded that a joint investigation team (JIT) be formed to investigate the charges against Patras Masih and Christian community representatives should be allowed to monitor the proceedings.

Church of Pakistan Bishop Irfan Jamil demanded that Lahore administration and police should ensure safety and security of the Christian populace, particularly in Shahdara Town, so that all displaced families could return to their houses.

He demanded that attempted suicide case registered against Sajid Masih should be withdrawn and JIT be constituted to investigate FIA officials as well.

He said that an empowered and efficient implementation committee be formed to implement the recommendations of the Gojra Judicial Inquiry which had been ignored since 2009.

Shahdara police had registered a blasphemy case against Patras Masih for allegedly posting blasphemous material on social media two weeks ago.

Later a judicial magistrate handed over Patras Masih to FIA Cyber Crime Wing for investigation.

The FIA interrogators called Patras Masih’s cousin Sajid Masih for interrogation who jumped off the fourth floor of the FIA building sustaining serious injuries.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2018