Chinese language nationwide arrested on blasphemy costs in Pakistan

The rally occurred within the city of Komela — situated near the location of the Dasu Dam, the largest hydropower venture in Pakistan — in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan, in keeping with native police chief Naseer Khan.

Khan stated officers shortly responded to the protests by “rescuing and arresting” the Chinese language nationwide, who was later transported to the northwestern metropolis of Abbottabad by a military helicopter due to issues he could possibly be attacked by residents. Khan stated safety for different Chinese language engineers and development employees had additional been beefed up within the city, the place the state of affairs was calm after the person’s arrest.

In keeping with Khan, the accusations arose from a office disagreement: Tian allegedly grew to become upset and reprimanded two native drivers for taking an excessive amount of time from work to hope. Different laborers then claimed he had insulted the prophet.

Police stated Tian, who was answerable for heavy transport on the venture, will likely be tried beneath blasphemy legal guidelines if investigators show he insulted Islam. There was no speedy remark from the Chinese language Embassy in Islamabad.

The blocked freeway later reopened to visitors and work resumed on the Dasu Dam, which has scores of Chinese language and tons of of Pakistanis engaged on the venture, Khan stated.

Mob assaults on folks accused of blasphemy and even lynching assaults are widespread in Pakistan, a conservative Muslim nation. Rights teams say blasphemy accusations have typically been used to intimidate spiritual minorities and settle private scores.

Movies circulating on social media confirmed an indignant mob demonstrating exterior a sprawling compound housing Chinese language and Pakistani development employees in Komela. The demonstrators could be heard chanting “God is nice” as safety forces fireplace pictures within the air to disperse the crowds.

Though arrests of Muslims and non-Muslims on costs of blasphemy are widespread in Pakistan, foreigners are not often amongst these arrested.

In 2021, a mob lynched a Sri Lankan man at a sports activities manufacturing unit in jap Punjab province and later burned his physique in public over allegations he desecrated posters bearing the identify of the Prophet Muhammad.

In July 2021, work on the Dasu Dam was suspended for a number of months following a lethal suicide assault concentrating on a bus carrying Chinese language and Pakistani nationals in Kohistan district, the place the dam is situated. The bombing killed 13 folks, together with 9 Chinese language nationals.

The Chinese language resumed work on the venture final 12 months, when Pakistan enhanced safety. Pakistani and Chinese language engineers are attempting to finish the venture by 2026.

Monday’s developments got here days after Punjab police arrested a Muslim girl on costs of blasphemy after she allegedly claimed she was an Islamic prophet. She was taken into custody from her dwelling after a mob had gathered exterior demanding that she be lynched after information unfold of her alleged claims of prophethood.

In the meantime, a mob of Sunni Muslims demolished a minaret at a mosque belonging to the minority Ahmadis in Sargodha district in Punjab, the minority’s spokesman stated.

There are about half 1,000,000 Ahmadis in Pakistan, which has a inhabitants of 220 million. Pakistan declared Ahmadis non-Muslims in 1974. Ahmadi houses and locations of worship are sometimes focused by Sunni militants who think about them heretics.

Amir Mahmood, a spokesperson for the Ahmadi group, stated the assault occurred in a single day and allegedly within the presence of police. There was no speedy remark from the police.

Related Press author Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this story.