Two Christian nurses arrested over blasphemy charges

FAISALABAD: Two Christian nurses are arrested in Faisalabad over blasphemy charges in Civil civil hospital Faisalabad. A case has been registered and if proven guilty both may face dire consequences.

The nurses identified as Mariyum Lal and Neush Arooj allegedly removed a sticker with a sacred inscription from a cabinet. Their action has raised a hue and cry in the Faisalabad city where scores of hospital staff have staged a protest on Friday. Some of the angry protesters also attacked the police van parked inside the hospital, the protestors tried to attack one of the nurses but police immediately locked the nurses in the police van to keep them safe.

Police officers reported they had been informed of blasphemy by the nurses on Thursday. The Christian nurses are accused of removing the sticker from the cabinet present in a psychiatric ward.

Two Christian nurses arrested over blasphemy charges

Blasphemy proved by the hospital committee

The blasphemy had been proved by the hospital committee, henceforth deputy Medical Superintendent Dr. Mohammad Ali submitted an application to the civil lines police, reports Dawn News. Dr. Mohammad Ali states the sticker was taken is custody by the head nurse and handed over to him on Friday apprising him of the whole situation.

FIR

The first investigation report (FIR) was registered under section 295-B of Pakistan Penal COde at civil lines police station Faisal abad.

Application submitted for the arrest of the nurses states that third-year student Urooj on the instructions of nurse Maryam Lal scratched out the sticker of Durood Pak with the help of a pencil. The incident occurred on 8 April 2021 at 1:55 p.m. Urooj handed over the pieces to Maryam. Maryam hid the pieces in her hand when she noticed head nurse Rukhsan approaching them. On questioning, Maryam was not able to give any satisfactory reply. Rukhsana took the turned-up sticker in her possession, since everyone had left at that time she brought up the incident the next day on 9 April.

An enquiry committee was set up by the MS, upon inquiry it was proved that Maryam and Urooj committed blasphemy intentionally.

Two Christian nurses in Faisalabad have been booked over alleged blasphemy. The charge is that the nurses changed a calender page (or a sticker) from a cupboard which had sacred inscription. pic.twitter.com/JoUcn3PfUm
— Naila Inayat (@nailainayat) April 10, 2021

RT:2 #Christian Nurses Mariam Lal & Newish Urooj,charged for Blasphemy arrested by Faisalabad Police Pakistan.@CallMeBlaise1 @631210D @mmhn60 @Mfmorenobel @kwilliam111 @BNN_Breaking @KateBolger7 @Cimyne @liftdupbyangels @HousingFirstUK @palombo_rossana @Alexandra0306 @louisajan1 pic.twitter.com/DnmnPQkYHA
— Help NADEEM SAMSON ن ✝️ (@FreeNadeemSam) April 10, 2021

Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP)

Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) however condemn the false accusation of blasphemy charges on two christian nurses. It is said the nurses were accused of blasphemy due to personal conflict.

It was also reported Muhammad Waqas a dispenser at the same hospital attacked the nurses with a knife injuring one of the nurses. Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) raised and urged for victims, families, Christian nurses and the community’s immediate protection measures with the provision of legal actions.