ASIA/PAKISTAN - Christian Girl kidnapped: threats also to the lawyer

Friday, 19 February 2016 conversion islam religious minorities persecutions

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Kasur (Agenzia Fides) - A Christian girl, Nabila Bibi, was kidnapped, converted to Islam and forced to marry a Muslim man in Pattoki, in Kasur district, in Pakistani Punjab. Bashir Masih, the girl's father, went to the police to lodge a complaint, but the police refused to register a First Information Report against the kidnappers. As Agenzia Fides learns, the family turned to Christian lawyer Sardar Mushtaq Gill, head of the organization "LEAD" who provides free legal assistance to Christians in need.
After the insistence of the lawyers, finally, on 17 February, the complaint was registered. The girl's father said he had received intimidation and death threats for the girl who if "converted to Christianity", would be considered "apostate". "Threats to the families of origin is a routine in these cases", explains Gill.
Life is hard for lawyers who accept to defend these cases: a few days ago lawyer Gill and other lawyers were stopped and threatened by a group of men who asked them to abandon the legal defense of other Christians. Also on February 11, the lawyer suffered a theft in Lahore, some criminals stole a computer, digital cameras, important files and documents from his office. Nevertheless, "we will continue our struggle for justice", concludes Gill to Fides. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 19/02/2016)