Islamabad, March 1 (NationPress) The rights organization, Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP), has called upon the authorities to safeguard Sarwar Masih and his family while pursuing justice against those who allegedly exploited blasphemy claims to facilitate the unlawful takeover of the Christian family's land. The organization has demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.

According to reports, a blasphemy threat was purportedly wielded against a Christian family whose property was seized by a Muslim neighbor in Gujranwala, Pakistan. Since February 23, Sarwar Masih and his family have been subjected to severe threats after their neighbor allegedly warned them of blasphemy charges should they attempt to reclaim their property, as noted in a report by Eurasia Review.

HRFP claims that the offenders have misused blasphemy laws as a means to enable illegal land acquisition. The organization has called for the protection of Masih and his family, alongside an impartial inquiry into the situation to ensure those responsible are held accountable.

Following the claimed illegal occupation of their residence, the current occupants reportedly displayed religious banners, verses from the Quran, and images of Madina (Islam’s holy city) at the site, seemingly to frame the dispute as a religious issue. Sarwar Masih, his spouse, and his brother have informed HRFP that they are under direct threats of blasphemy accusations if they attempt to reclaim their home, as stated in Eurasia Review.

Masih's family voiced concerns that any action taken to remove the religious banners could heighten tensions and jeopardize not only their safety but also that of the broader Christian community in the region. Witnesses, including a 5-year-old Muslim boy named Muhammad Shahid, confirmed their long-standing association with the Christian family, affirming that the land rightfully belongs to them, according to the Eurasia Review report.

The family reported that the occupants have threatened that anyone attempting to remove the religious banners would face false blasphemy accusations and that homes in the vicinity would be set ablaze. The occupants allegedly issued a warning indicating that any individual who attempts to enter the house would be accused of violating Islamic tenets.

HRFP's investigation revealed that Masih's family has resided on the property for over seventy years, without any prior legal disputes or ownership challenges. The family emphasized that the looming threat of blasphemy accusations presents a significant hurdle in their pursuit of justice, drawing attention to past incidents where Christian homes were attacked and destroyed following similar allegations, the report indicated.

HRFP President Naveed Walter remarked that this case reflects a troubling trend and cited comparable incidents in which blasphemy threats escalated into false accusations and violence arising from personal disagreements, property disputes, and workplace conflicts, including notable cases such as the Faisalabad nurses’ incident and the Jaranwala violence, as per the Eurasia Review.

Walter stated, "This is not an isolated case; land grabbers have repeatedly exploited blasphemy threats to intimidate Christian families into vacating their homes. Victims frequently face violence or find themselves isolated, fearful, and compelled to leave rather than seek justice," as reported by Eurasia Review.

He noted that the police had not intervened or filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the accused during the alleged unlawful occupation of Masih’s property, adding, "The prevailing atmosphere of fear surrounding blasphemy accusations often hinders timely action from both authorities and community members."