Pakistan’s Longest Jailed ‘Blasphemy’ Pastor Still Facing Execution
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
ISLAMABAD (Worthy News) – Concerns mounted Friday about the plight of Pakistani Christian Zafar Bhatti, a pastor listed as Pakistan’s longest-serving blasphemy prisoner, who is facing execution.
“Since the day of his arrest on July 12th, 2012, the Christian man has remained in prison. During harsh police interrogation, Zafar was forced to confess to blasphemy” against Islam, said advocacy group Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC).
“He has since recanted the previously made statement, asserting that it was spoken under duress,” VOMC told Worthy News.
Over 12 years ago, authorities detained Bhatti for allegedly sending text messages insulting the Islam’s Prophet Muhammad’s mother.
After Bhatti was reportedly tortured into confessing, he was initially sentenced to life in prison for “insulting the Prophet Muhammad” on May 3, 2017. On June 22, 2021, Bhatti’s conviction was upheld by a sessions court judge in the Rawalpindi District.
However, soon after January 2022, the Rawalpindi Sessions Court sentenced Bhatti to death, several sources said. Christians said he has remained behind bars in the city of Rawalpindi’s Adiala Central Jail.
NUMEROUS APPEALS
“Over the years, numerous appeals and petitions have been filed in attempts to challenge Zafar’s conviction. Due to the dedicated efforts of those advocating on his behalf, the courts have scheduled ten hearings since May of this year,” VOMC explained to Worthy News.
“However, the original complainant, Ibrar Ahmad Khan, has continued to follow the case, filing applications to submit additional alleged evidence against the accused Christian man. Thankfully, the judge has rejected Ibrar’s requests, emphasizing that all evidence should have been recorded earlier,” VOMC said.
“Although the most recent hearing was scheduled for September 23rd, it has since been postponed.”
The 61-year-old Bhatti, who is believed to suffer from diabetes, heart disease, and frequent headaches, was reportedly attacked in prison, raising concerns among Christians.
“Amid concerns for the imprisoned believer’s physical condition, health issues have also been mounting for his wife, Nawab Bibi. The 76-year-old Christian woman has become very weak and suffers from failing eyesight,” said VOMC, which has been closely following the case.
“Despite these health challenges, Nawab continues to visit her husband in prison every month. The British Asian Christian Association, which has been supplying support and daily provisions for the elderly couple, is presently seeking to provide the financial means for Nawab to undergo cataract surgery.”
PRAYERS URGED
VOMC said it had urged its supporters and other Christians that “In hopes of this long-suffering Christian brother’s soon release from prison, pray that any further delays to the hearings of his case will be rejected.”
It also urged prayers that God “will continue to meet the ongoing needs of this imprisoned believer and his wife – ultimately providing this couple divine healing and restoration.”
Pakistan, a strict Islamic country, has been criticized over its blasphemy legislation that rights groups say has been misused to target people, including minority Christians, often on false charges.
Amid the controversies, at least 89 Pakistanis were extrajudicially killed over blasphemy accusations from 1947 to 2021, according to researchers and rights activists.
Among the victims of such killings have been high-profile Pakistanis such as Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti, a Christian, and high court justice Arif Iqbal Bhatti, who was slain in his chambers.
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