Case where a Christian couple was burned alive in brick kiln!

• Pakistan's Supreme Court acquits all accused after 12 years!

• Persecution of minorities continues in Pakistan!

Islamabad (Pakistan): The Supreme Court of Pakistan has acquitted all those accused of burning a Christian husband and wife alive in Pakistan 12 years ago.

https://x.com/SanatanPrabhat/status/2079214664773435646

What was this horrific case?

On 4^th November 2014, Shahzad Masih (26) and his 24-year-old pregnant wife, Shama Bibi, a Christian couple from Kasur district in Pakistan’s Punjab province, worked as labourers at a local brick kiln. They were involved in a financial dispute with the kiln owner, who refused to let them leave.

Subsequently, a conspiracy was allegedly hatched in which the couple was falsely accused of desecrating the Quran. Following this, a local maulvi (Islamic religious leader) allegedly incited a Muslim mob through announcements from a mosque. Within a short time, a violent mob of more than 1,000 people gathered at the spot. The mob brutally assaulted the innocent couple, subjected them to severe torture, and then threw them alive into the blazing fire of the brick kiln.

Following this horrific incident, Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Court initially adopted a strict stance. It sentenced 5 principal accused to death and imprisoned 8 others. However, over time, the High Court, citing a lack of evidence, gradually acquitted the accused. Now, on 10^th July, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has set aside the death sentences of the remaining 3 principal accused, acquitting them as well. Furthermore, the Court also dismissed the Punjab Government’s petition opposing the acquittal of 102 other persons accused of participating in the mob violence.

Reacting to the verdict, Bishop Samson Shukardin, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan, expressed deep sorrow. He stated that Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan are routinely denied justice following targeted acts of violence against them.