HYDERABAD: July 22,2010: (By Abbas Kassar) The people belonging to various religions held protest demonstration here on Thursday against killing of two Christians in Punjab and demanded protection to minorities in Pakistan. The demonstration was taken out by Catholic Diocese of Hyderabad, Church of Pakistan, Diocese of Hyderabad, National Commission for Peace and Justice, Pakistan Catholic Women Organization Justice and Peace Commission and Caritas Pakistan and led by Father Daniel, Dr. Masood Jamal Khanzada, M. Parkash, Father Simson and Shams Shamoon. The participants were carrying banners inscribed with slogans demanding protection to minorities in Pakistan. The speakers condemned killing of Rashid Masih and Sajid Masih both accused in a case who were shot to death outside court in Faisalabad when they had come to attend the court hearing. They termed the killings as result of policies and laws that instigate religious fanaticism. Few days back both Sajid and Rashid were arrested on basis of their names being written on photo copy of a pamphlet. There was an humiliating statement in this pamphlet which contained their names and phone numbers. They said that on 19 July police told the court in Faisalabad that the writing on pamphlet does not resemble with the accused and that both accused were not wanted to police in any other case as such they be sent to custody. However when both came out of court an unknown assailant shot them. Both were injured and taken to hospital where they succumbed to injuries. The speakers told that from 1987 to 2009 as many as 1035 persons including Muslims, Hindu, Ahmedis and Christians were accused of blasphemy and in 2009 10 persons accused of blasphemy were killed under extra judicial and that after promulgation of blesphemic laws so far 35 persons accused of blasphemy have been killed under extra judicial but no case was proved against them. It was found that these cases were lodged on basis of personal anger and under greed. They said that blasphemy laws were being misused on large scale and religious fanatics and sectarian organizations have looted and burnt the places of worship and other properties of Christians. National Commission has demanded from government to revisit the blasphemy laws and to punish the culprits involved in killing of two Christians. It said that religion in Pakistan is being exploited for political and economic gains and its main target is Christian community. Commission demanded protection to Christian community and arrest of killers of members of this community none of whom has ever been arrested nor punished.