News

Last week Zaffar Bhatti, 42, was arrested by the Rawalpindi/Islamabad police after a complaint was made against him by Abrar Ahmed, the leader of Muslim group Ahle e sunnat. He said in his complaint that he had received three blasphemous text messages from the phone number which is the property of Zaffar Bhatti.

During an investigation New Town police recovered the phone and sim card which were allegedly used to send the blasphemous texts and a case was registered against Zaffar Bhatti under section 295-C of the blasphemy law which has a mandatory death penalty.

Zaffar had been working as sweeper in the Pakistani Navy and was retired on health grounds. He had recently moved to Islamabad form Lahore.

This is not the first case of someone being accused of sending blasphemous texts. We must remember the case of Qamar David who died last year, in Karachi jail, while serving a life sentence under the blasphemy law after being accused of insulting the Quran in text messages he had sent.

It is difficult to say anything now but CLAAS' legal team has approached the police and are also trying to reach Zaffar Bhatti and his relatives to find out the true facts. Once CLAAS’ fact finding report is prepared will be able to share more information with our Supporters, but until then please remember Zaffar Bhatti in your prayers.