May 22, 2023
On May 18, in Lahore, Pakistan's Qurban Lines area, two Christian teenagers, including a minor, were apprehended based on allegations of blasphemy.
On May 18, the judicial magistrate of Lahore Cantt ordered the imprisonment of two Christian teenagers, Simon Nadeem (12) and Adil Baber (18), under the blasphemy law, section 295-C.
Both youths were arrested on May 18 after a complaint was lodged against them by police constable Zahid Sohail. He alleged that while he was en route to the mosque for prayers, he overheard the boys, Simon (son of Nadeem Nadu Masih), and Adil (son of Baber Masih), making derogatory comments. Specifically, they were playfully referring to a puppy as "Muhammad Ali."
Sohail claimed to have two eyewitnesses, Shabir Iqbal and another individual, to corroborate his allegations. However, both families assert that they do not have a puppy.
Simon's mother, Samina Nadeem, recounted the incident, stating that on May 18 around 4:30 pm, her son Simon and his friend Adil were playing outside their house. Adil, who uses Naswar (a smokeless tobacco product), was teased by Simon about his Naswar addiction. Simon playfully urged Adil to spit out the Naswar, referring to it as "Muhammad Ali." At that moment, Zahid Sohail, a policeman passing by, overheard the conversation. Sohail instantly accused the boys of blasphemy without verifying the context.
This baseless accusation led to a disturbing chain of events. The mob began to gather and attacked both boys, who managed to escape. While the situation escalated, Nadeem, Simon's father, arrived home and was informed about the allegations against his son. The crowd demanded the arrest of both boys.
Nadeem, fearing for Simon's safety, decided to hand himself over to the police instead. He intended to protect his son from the looming danger. Eventually, Nadeem and Adil were placed in a police cell.
Baber, Adil's father, expressed his relief when he received news of Nadeem's release from the police. However, this didn't signify freedom as rumors of a potential mob attack prompted several families to evacuate their homes to ensure their safety.
Amidst these harrowing circumstances, families hope for a fair investigation and just legal proceedings. The imperative is to secure the release of Simon and Adil, as their future hangs in the balance.
Pakistan's blasphemy laws criminalize actions that insult Islam, including causing religious offense, and can result in the death penalty or life imprisonment. These laws lack clear definitions and demand minimal evidence, leading to their frequent misuse as tools for vengeance against Muslims and non-Muslims alike, often exploited to settle personal conflicts, financial disputes, or property matters.