Dear Friends,  

Thank you again for your prayers for Christians in Pakistan.  Once again, justice has been postponed in Pakistan for alleged blasphemy violator, Younis Masih.  The court hearing that was to have taken place on January 23 was postponed, once again delaying justice for another victim of Pakistan's blasphemy laws.

Dear All,

Greetings in His holy name.   

We are once again disappointed because the case of Younis Masih victim of blasphemy under death sentence was adjourned by the double bench of the High Court Lahore due to the big pressure of Mulla's and extremists.

 

Younis Masih's appeal against punishment is pending with the DB (Double Bench) of the honorable Justice Mr.Najam-Ul-Hasan and the Honorable Justice Mr.Mahmood Maqbool Bajwa in the High Court Lahore since September 2012 for the final arguments.

As we have informed you earlier about the court hearing of the said case was fixed for January 23, 2013. Mr. Joseph Francis National Director CLAAS was present in the Court along with CLAAS team including Mr. Naeem Shakir Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan, Mr. Tahir Bashir, Mr. Nasir Anjum and Mr. Tanvir Gill Advocates High Court and Mr. Asher Sarfraz Field Officer and Ayaz Gill court Clerk. When the case was called for hearing there were about 50 Muslim militants and extremists to put pressure on the honorable court. The state lawyer informed the honorable court that he did not received the case file yet therefore he requested to extend the hearing date. The honorable Justice ordered for the date in office which will be fixed later by the court.

Younis Masih is on death row and detained since 8 years. He got severe heart attack on January 08, 2013. Mr. Abdullah Niazi the superintendent of the Prison was afraid to shift Younis Masih to the Hospital due to the security matters. On CLAAS request he immediately shifted Younis to the Civil Hospital Mianwali and CLAAS staff Mr. Asher Sarfraz and Mr. Asif Raza reached Mianwali Hospital the same day to care and look after Younis Masih in this serious situation. CLAAS also arranged a visit of his wife, children and brothers in the hospital. He was under medical treatment for 5 days in Civil Hospital Mianwali and was privately treated by the expert Dr. Raza Malik Senior Cardiologist. It was a result of all your prayers, God's kindness and CLAAS's efforts that Younis could survive again and he recovered fully and send back to prison safely on January 12, 2013.

Younis Masih is confined in Mianwali Prison which is on 7 hours drive from Lahore therefore CLAAS has filed an application with the High Authorities-Home department for the transfer of Younis Masih from Mianwali to Lahore prison for the easy access and visit of his wife and children.

We request you for continue prayers for the next hearing of Younis Masih expected in the next month. That May the Lord give courage to the Judges to do justice.

In Christ's service,

Please pray that the judges will grant the request to transfer Mr. Masih to the prison closer to his home and the court.  Pray also that the court will not allow these efforts by the prosecutor and mob mentality to further delay justice.     

Thanks again for your continued prayers for Advocates around the globe who are representing people facing persecution. 

May the Lord bless and keep you in His perfect. . .