ICC Note:

According to reports, a Christian teenager from the Kasur District has been accused of blasphemy. This accusations, which can carry the death penalty in Pakistan, has many Christians from the teenagers community afraid because accusations are often a precursor to communal violence. According to ICC sources, the root of the accusations comes from a Facebook post the teen liked that Muslim neighbors found to be blasphemous. Will this accusation lead to more communal violence against Christians? 

09/20/2016 Pakistan (Christians in Pakistan) – A Christian teenager, Nabeel Masih has been ensnared in a fallacious blasphemy case. 16-years-old, Nabeel Masih son of Amanat Masih is resident of Chak 66, Bhai Pheru, District Kasur in Punjab province. The accusers have invoked the draconian blasphemy law against him, generating a wave of terror among Christians in the accused boy’s neighborhood.

In line with details, Nabeel Masih has been arrested and is put behind the bars, while Christians in the area are fearful of customary reprisal. Section 295 and 295/A have been invoked against the teenager, as he was charged for liking picture of Islamic sacred place Khana-e-Kaaba; on Facebook. Reports are that Nabeel’s family are in hiding while some of the other Christians have also fled from the area, as the tension remains on the higher side.

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