ICC Note:

Another Christian, named Usman Liaquat, has been accused of blasphemy in Pakistan. According to reports, Liaquat from Sheikhupura was accused of blasphemy for posting something on his Facebook wall. Now, Liaquat is missing and many claim he is in the custody of the local police. Blasphemy accusations are often false in Pakistan and are motivated by score settling, personal gain or religious hatred. In this case, the local police believe the accusations have been motivated by score settling. 

5/26/2016 Pakistan (Christians in Pakistan) – A Christian man, Usman Liaquat has been missing after he was accused of committing blasphemy by local Muslims. The incident took place in Khanpur Canal area in Sheikhupura, Punjab. The complaints have filed a police complaint against the Christian; however the respondent went missing shortly after the accusations.

The Christian respondent, Usman Liaquat works at an automobile company and is father of three. His wife however, claims that Usman is in police custody as she narrates that on May 22, Sunday, Usman got engaged in a brawl with locals, Consequently Usman sustained head injury and was rushed to a hospital for medical treatment.

The hospital administration refused to administer medical treatment to him, saying that it was a police case and until police arrives, they will not start his treatment. She said that, doctors treated him, after a policeman arrived. Followed by the medical treatment, police took him and he has not returned since. The area residents are also of the same opinion that Usman is in a protective custody of police.

On the other hand, SHO Iftikhar, from the area’ police station negates that Usman is in police custody saying that thus far, FIR has not been lodged against Usman, however, the complainant party has submitted an application to the police.

SHO Iftikhar said, that the complainants have maintained in their application that Usman had posted a blasphemous post on Facebook. He clarified, that the post is about six months old and does not gives an impression of blasphemy. He explained that, it appears as if it is a case of personal clashes; where one party is trying to take revenge by heaping fake blasphemy accusations on the other.

…