ICC Note:

A resolution supporting the court’s verdict in the brick kiln murders was submitted to the Punjab Assembly on Thursday. The resolution shows lawmakers appreciation for the court handing down punishment for individuals involved in the brutal murder of two Christians falsely accused of blasphemy in 2014. The punishments handed down by the court in Pakistan were among the first for individuals accused of murdering religious minorities accused of blasphemy. It is hoped that this will help curb attacks on religious minorities after accusations of blasphemy are made. 

12/18/2016 Pakistan (Daily Times) – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s lawmaker Rana Manan on Thursday submitted a resolution in the Punjab Assembly to appreciate the court’s verdict on Christian couple lynching case in Kasur two years ago.

The resolution was submitted in the Notice Branch of the Punjab Assembly Secretariat. The resolution stated that the bold decision of court in Kasur tragedy case should be applauded in the House of the representatives of the province.

In the Kasur Tragedy case, Anti-Terrorism Court-I (ATC-I) Judge Chaudhry Muhammad Azam sentenced five people to death over the killing of a Christian couple, who were lynched and burned in a kiln after being falsely accused of blasphemy, two weeks ago.

The court also awarded two-year sentence to eight other culprits, including Muhammad Hussain, Noorul Hasan, Muhammad Arsalan, Muhammad Haris, Muhammad Muneer, Muhammad Ramazan, Irfan and Hafiz Shahid involved in burning the couple alive before their children.

The deaths of Shahzad Masih and Shama Bibi, the Christian couple, caused outrage and saw other Christian families living near their home in Punjab flee the area in fear.

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