ASIA/PAKISTAN - Christian lawyer’s family members almost risked being kidnapped

Wednesday, 25 May 2016 violence   religious minorities   islam   blasphemy  

LEAD

Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - Christian lawyer Sardar Mushtaq Gill’s parents and sister almost risked being kidnapped in Lahore last May 22 by a stranger. The lawyer, who in the past had received threats for his legal commitment to the defense of discriminated Christians or innocent victims of blasphemy, had registered a complaint.
The three were at a bus stop to reach the village of Kot Usad Ullah to express condolences to a relative. A stranger invited them to climb into a car, saying he had been sent by lawyer Gill, then headed in the opposite direction. Taking advantage of the traffic in a moment when the car had stopped, the two women got out of the car, while the man, threatened with a gun, remained in the hands of the kidnapper. The two women immediately alerted the police of the kidnapping. Hours later, the man was released. The lawyer's father reported that the kidnapper spoke explicitly of his son’s activity "of his defense of cases related to religion".
Lawyer Gill and his family for months have been victims of threats and harassment. These days, the organization led by the lawyer, "LEAD" (Legal Evangelical Association Development), is dealing with Christian girls victims of forced conversions and forced Islamic marriage. In May he saved two. "Despite this suffering and these attacks, I will continue in the work of the defense of victims of religious violence", Gill told Fides. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 25/05/2016)


Share: