“This is no safety for our family,” Patras’ mother said. “All the time we are monitored and followed by different groups. We therefore feel insecure and threatened. Who knows what will be the future for us.”
“This accusation has put us on an island where we have no connection with rest of the world,” Patras’ father added.
Following the accusation against Patras, Sajid Masih, Patras’ cousin, was also arrested. Sajid sustained major injuries after he jumped from the fourth floor of the Federal Investigation Agency building in Lahore shortly after the arrest. According to Sajid, he and his cousin were being severely tortured by interrogators. Prior to jumping, Sajid said that he had been ordered by an officer to have sex with his cousin.
“Both of my legs, a shoulder, and jaw got multiple fractures,” Sajid explained as he described his injuries to ICC. “According to the doctors, it could take more than a year to get fully healed and recovered.”
Just like Patras’ family, the arrest and association with an accused blasphemer has had a devastating effect on Sajid and his family.
“Our house was closed for about five months after I went through this persecution,” Sajid said, still on bed rest as he recovers from the injuries he sustained in February. “When we returned home, we found each and every major article was looted or damaged.”
“We are still passing through a critical time,” Sajid continued. “For the media and outsiders, it was [a] one-day incident. For us, its everyday suffering.”
Sajid and his family still feel the fear of another attack every day. “Whenever the main gate of the house is knocked, we get frightened,” Sajid said. “Often, unknown people come to inquire about me which also makes us fearful.”
“We have no security of life and future,” Sajid explained. “We could be killed any day, anytime by a fanatic.”
“Following the accusation, my fiancée has refused marrying me,” Sajid continued. “Muslim friends hate us and look at us with anger. Our neighbors and relatives do not visit us due to threats of being monitored by fanatics.”
“Once blasphemy allegations are leveled against you, you lose everything,” Sajid said. “There is no security, no job assurance, no family attachment, no social life, no education, no future, no relationship.”
While Sajid has been released, Patras remains in police custody, accused of blasphemy. It is likely that he will receive a death sentence by the trial court in the near future. The ongoing suffering and rejection facing Patras and Sajid’s families are a common experience shared by all families of those accused of blasphemy. With such devastating consequences, Pakistan must either abolish these laws or take steps to ensure that the laws are not abused and those accused are protected from the social injustices that Patras and Sajid experienced.
For interviews with William Stark, Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected]