Stop raising voice for Justice, peace and respect

Stop raising voice for Justice, peace and respect

By – Shamim Masih

ISLAMABAD: Let the voices of justice, peace, and respect for law enforcement be heard. People around the world have seen the iron man protecting a Christian minor girl Rimsha (accused of burning holy papers of Islamic verses that focused international attention on Pakistan’s unsympathetic blasphemy laws) up to helicopter outside the prison, when she was released on bail. I have also seen him during the said case protecting her attorney Tahir Naveed Chaudhry during the case trial. Although Chaudhry’s role as a lawyer was not prominent but his presence was there which won her release on bail. Later Rana Abdul Hameed, Rimsha’s attorney came in and saved her skin up to the apex court. I am eye witness and have seen him in or outside the Islamabad courts running in rain or sun. Although I knew him before but since then we came close to each other and working together for Christian’s rights. Rimsha was held in jail before getting bail, but the cleric was later accused of fabricating evidence and the case against the girl was dropped. Later Rimsha and her family find refuge in Canada. But this man is still under threat and facing threat call on routine basis. Yes, he is Basharat Masih Khokhar, a police official, had been serving as a security guard with Shahbaz Bhatti, a slain Federal Minister for minorities in Islamabad.

Basharat Khokher (in white shirt) keeping eye in surroundings

Basharat Khokher has been struggling for Christian rights for many years. In November, 2008, he was accused of harsh blasphemy law and First Investigation Report – FIR 267/08 was registered against him under 295-C and 109 Pakistan Penal Code, when he was saving Christian colony in Rawal Dam Islamabad. He was arrested in the same case in January, 2009 and was put in the prison. He remained in the jail for five months and was released on bail from Islamabad High Court on June, 2009. After he released on the bail, he was appointed as security guard with Shahbaz Bhatti, a Federal Minister for minorities. After the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti on March 2011, he worked with Dr. Paul Bhatti, his brother, during this time he left no stone unturned to save minor Christian girl Rimsha’s life. Finally his case was discharged on baseless allegation on June, 2011. Since then, he is under constant threats. According to him, he received many threats calls and was attacked on September 9, 2012 at Zero point Islamabad. When his car was damaged and received injuries. Later he filed complain in Abbpara police station, Islamabad. On December 15, 2012, the same group followed him to his house and attacked his house. He sent his family in a hiding place for the fear of being attacked again on family members.

Most recently, he complained in the police station and said that on December 19, 2014 at 10:37 pm, he received a phone call from the landline number, who threatened him and asked to stop raising voice against terrorism. He said that he held candle vigil against the terrorist attack in Peshawar Army run school, which left killing of 147 people including 132 school children. The voice said him to keep in mind the scene of carnage of Shahbaz Bhatti and Salman Taseer, governor Punjab.

This is really pathetic that we cry over spilled milk but do not take protective measures when the situation can be controlled and life of man can be saved. I have seen many Christian rights defenders, much active on social media but there are few who really work hard to safe guard other’s right, Basharat Khokhar is one of them, who play on front foot. I think, he is asset and human right organizations should come in to raise voice against the extremists who work behind the radicalism.