Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – Bishop Timothy Nasir, of the Presbyterian Church in Pakistan, will lead the team of lawyers following the case of Shazia Bashir, the Catholic girl who was tortured, raped, and killed on January 22 by a wealthy Muslim lawyer in Lahore (see Fides 25/1/2010).
As Fides learns from the local Church, Bishop Nasir is an eminent personality in the Christian community in Pakistan. He is the Moderator of the United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, a canonist and a jurist, and Rector of the Theological Seminary of Gujranwala, in Punjab. He is also a known columnist and defender of the rights of religious minorities in the country.
His appointment was necessary due to the pressures and threats from other Christian lawyers, contacted by the family of Shazia and organizations who are following the case, in proceedings against lawyer Naeem Choudry, accused of the violence and murder.
Choudry is the former President of the High Court of Lahore. He is an influential personality, with close relations with the Pakistani Army, the government in Punjab, and the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz). In recent days, lawyers' associations and trade unions have largely defended and exonerated him. There have even been acts of intimidation and threats against lawyers who would side with the defense of Shazia Bashir.
"There was a stalemate, and an initial hearing called by the magistrate had been postponed for lack of a lawyer for the victim's family, who pressed charges against Choudry,” note sources of Fides.
Some doctors in the service of the defense of the lawyer have already indicated that there were no signs of torture or rape on the body of the child. It is feared that even the authorities themselves in Punjab want the case thrown out or manipulated in order to save the lawyer Choudry.
The associations active in defending the rights of Christians are ready for a legal battle to “not let the case of Shazia go unpunished” and “the presence of a prominent figure like Bishop Nasir to follow the case, presents a guarantee and a hope for us all," say Fides sources from the Church in Pakistan. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 10/2/2010)
