Courage Amidst Adversity: Christian Couple Granted Bail in Pakistan, Advocates for Justice and Family Unity.
November 08, 2023
In the face of adversity, a Christian couple in Pakistan, recently granted bail, showcases remarkable resilience and determination. Accused under blasphemy laws, their journey symbolizes a quest for justice amidst personal challenges. As they navigate legal hurdles, their unwavering commitment to family unity shines brightly, painting a portrait of courage and hope in challenging times.
On October 18, 2023, a Christian couple, detained in Pakistan for over a month, received bail, leaving their three young children without proper care during their incarceration.
The couple was arrested on September 8 under Pakistan's blasphemy law, specifically Section 295-B of the Pakistan Penal Code, following a complaint by an unnamed Muslim individual. Their lawyer, Riaz Anjum, hailed the swift grant of bail by the Sessions Court in a blasphemy case as a historic ruling. Presented by a legal team comprising three High Court advocates—Advocate Tahir Bashir, Advocate Zahid Nazir, and Advocate Riaz Anjum—Advocate Riaz Anjum led the arguments in the Sessions court before Additional Sessions Judge.
Kiran Shoukat and her husband Shoukat Masih were taken into custody from their rented residence in Chaudhary Colony, Lahore. Muhammad Taimur filed an FIR (FIR No. 3862/23) alleging 'Defiling, etc., of Quran,' an offense potentially resulting in life imprisonment.
Taimur reported seeing paper bits falling from a house's roof around midnight while buying barbecue. Kiran Bibi answered the door when he approached, claiming the paper pieces were torn pages from the Holy Quran.
Kiran, a domestic helper, had just returned home and hadn't reached her children, who face physical and intellectual challenges, when Taimur arrived. She allowed him to inspect and suggested her children might have been involved.
Discovering more damaged pages in a pink school bag on the roof, Taimur called emergency services, resulting in Shoukat Masih's arrest upon returning home. The couple was swiftly separated, with Shoukat sent to Camp Jail (formerly District Jail, Lahore), and Kiran to Central Jail. Despite Assistant District Public Prosecutor Ayesha Tufail's strong opposition, bail was granted on October 18, leading to their release on October 21.
Legal Basis for Bail
Advocate Anjum highlighted the lack of evidence in the complaint, emphasizing no witnesses to the alleged act or Quran page throwing from the roof. Police confirmed the torn pages were from a ninth-grade Islamic studies textbook, not the Quran.
Given the evidential inconsistencies, Advocate Anjum argued for bail, stressing the need for further investigation. Advocate Anjum praised the case's significance and Judge Mian Shahid Javed's impartiality in delivering a fair verdict without external influence in a sensitive blasphemy case.
He also discussed the threats faced by lawyers handling such cases and expressed gratitude to Christian Persecution Relief Pakistan for aiding in covering legal fees for bail.
Custody of Children
Immediate family members declined custody, fearing reprisals from Pakistan's far-right Islamic party, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan. They declined police custody offers due to potential protests by the TLP, as shared by Advocate Anjum. In the absence of family support, associate lawyer Tarak Barkat intervened, providing temporary custody for the children.
A week later, the HARDS organization, already safeguarding other family members, took charge of the children's care.
Sohail Habel, executive director of HARDS and a Human Rights Commission member, expressed deep concerns for those accused under blasphemy laws. He highlighted the challenges these families endure and their struggle for acceptance and safety in society, often forcing them into hiding or seeking refuge abroad for a fresh start.