Lahore: July 8, 2010. (PCP) On July 6, 2010 Mr. Joseph Francis National Director CLAAS was informed by some sources about a Blasphemy Case registered against three members of a Christian family namely Yousaf Masih, Bashrian Bibi w/o Yousaf Masih and Zahid Masih (Yousaf’s son in-law) in Police Station Factory Area Lahore by a local Muslim Mohammad Saif. On the same day on July 6, 2010 CLAAS fact finding team comprising as Mr. Sohail Habel Accounts officer, Miss Robina Ghazal Field officer reached at place of occurrence around 11: 30 a.m. in the morning and inquired about the incident. The alleged family was fled from the place as they were frightened and scared from the aggression of the Muslim extremists. Local Muslim residents told CLAAS team that Yousaf Masih is not a resident of the area while living in nearest area called Model Town , Lahore . Then he took a house on rent since four years along with his wife Bashiran Bibi and daughter Nida Yousaf. This house was not well maintained but Yousaf was very poor therefore he could not afford a well condition house; in fact the owner of the house did not ask him for rent of the house. There was a combined toilet and bath room, but without roof. In the last week Lal Masih brought a pane flex and covered toilet with it. There were some holy words of Quran written on the flex sheet. According to Amanat Ali (a Muslim resident) Lal Masih cousin of Yousaf Masih from Youhanabad Lahore used to visit this family often and stayed with them. He added that local Muslims requested Lal Masih many time to remove this flex from the toilet because there were holy words of Quran on it but he has been ignoring them. Then a quarrel was accrued between Mohammad Imran (Yousaf’ neighbor) and Lal Masih on 4th July 2010. “I asked Lal Masih several times and suggested him that he should remove this flex because there are holy words but Lal Masih did not take notice of my advice, even after a dispute he was not ready to remove this sheet” Mohammad Imran told to CLAAS team. Mohammad Imran shared this matter with two other local Muslims Mohammad Saif and Mohammad Ali. On July 5, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. Saif and Ali came to Yousaf’s house and saw a flex with holy words on the toilet as a roof. No body was present at home so they met with Zahid Masih s/o Sadiq Masih (son in-law of Yousaf) lives at the front of Yousaf’s house and said to remove the holy flex from toilet but Zahid refused by saying that no body present at home and why he should remove that flex sheet. They also further told to CLAAS team that during this conversation there was again quarrel accrued between them. Due to this dispute local people were gathered there at the spot while some fanatic Muslims were also present at the place of occurrence and started shouting and alleged Zahid Masih for disgrace the holy verses of Quran. Meanwhile Mohammad Saif made a phone call on 15 (Police Emergency call), Police was on the spot at 4:00 p.m. and informed to the local people that it was a matter of religion so they must call CIA Police. Talking to CLAAS Amant Ali said when he saw that a mob of Muslim extremists was increasing in number he removed flex from the toilet and hide from the place. “A mob of two thousand people gathered on the place of occurrence and blocked the road for several hours; they were demanding immediate arrest of alleged blasphemers namely Zahid Masih, Yousaf Masih and Bashiran Bibi on the same day” Amant Ali added. On July 5, 2010 a case was registered, FIR no. 889/2010, offence under section 295/B PPC in the Police Station Factory Area, Lahore by a Molvi from a local Mosque named Mohammad Ibrahim s/o Fakhar-U-Din against Yousaf Masih, Bashiran Bibi and Zahid Masih but the same evening at 6: 00 p.m. accused family was escaped form the place and police could not arrest them, while Lal Masih and James Masih form the relatives are arrested by the local police, Amanat Ali told CLAAS. After recording the statements of the local Muslims CLAAS tried to talk with some Christian neighbors but they were afraid and scared they were silent and do not want to talk on this matter. A local Muslim showed a piece of disputed flex to CLASS team, whereas the team noticed thoroughly and did not found a single word of holy Quran on it. We thought that it is an allegation against Zahid Masih and other nominated in the FIR over some personal grudge or enmity. We are trying our level best and are in contact with Zahid and others, the moment we will get them we will get back to you with their statements. Up date: On July 6, 2010 a team headed by Mr. Joseph Francis National Director CLAAS went to the Police Station Factory Area Lahore. Team comprised on Mr. Joseph Francis, Mr. Tahir Bashir (Legal Advisor CLAAS), Mr. Asher Sarfraz (Admin CLAAS), Fr. William (Model Town Parish), Dr. Shakir and Asher Chaudhry (local councilor) met to Haji Abdual Ghafoor in charge investigation and asked about the facts and investigation of the police in this blasphemy case. Mr. Joseph also inquired about the arrest of Lal Masih and James Masih. IO told to the team that there was a pressure of the Muslim Molana’s and extremists for the registration of the FIR against Zahid and two others. “It was a demand of the extremists for arrest of the accused of blasphemy, to come down their aggression against the local Christians police would have to arrest their relatives to show them that they can not be released if the accused will not be arrested” IO added. Mr. Joseph Francis suggested to IO that Police should try for the reconciliation of the parties as police can play a vital role for bringing them together. IO assured to the team on behalf of police that they are trying their best to motivate the complaint party for the reconciliation but on the other hand he demanded the arrest of Zahid and Yousaf.