Bhatti Murder: Focusing Again on Islamic Extremism

Court issues arrest warrants for two Pakistani nationals who fled to Dubai. Pakistan plans to demand the extradition of Ziaur Rehman and Malik Abid, both from Faisalabad. 
 

Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's only Christian minister, assassinated for opposing Islamic blasphemy law

From AsiaNews.it

By Jibran Khan

Pakistan’s anti-terrorism court has issued an international arrest warrant against two people in connection with the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti, the Catholic Minority Affairs Minister who was assassinated on 2 March. The order was signed by Special Judge Pervez Ali Shah against Ziaur Rehman and Malik Abid, both from Faisalabad, who fled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Now Pakistani authorities will be able to demand their extradition so that they can be put on trial.

Shahbaz Bhatti Was a Hero of the Catholic Faith, a Martyr by Whose Courage We Should Be Inspired

But the chances for reform of the Pakistani blasphemy laws are now looking slim

People carry the coffin of the murdered Catholic politician Shahbaz Bhatti after a funeral Mass in Islamabad, Pakistan (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash)

From Catholic Herald (UK)

By William Oddie

The night before he was killed, Shahbaz Bhatti, the Pakistani Minister for minorities telephoned the BBC’s Orla Guerin.

This is what he said:

“They say there’s a terrorist plot to assassinate me. They’ve told me to be careful, but didn’t tell me anything else. I haven’t been given any extra security. It’s just the same as it has been since I became a minister.”

Though his voice sounded weary, the minister’s commitment was unwavering. “I have struggled for a long time for justice and equality,” he said.

“If I change my stance today, who will speak out? I am mindful that I can be assassinated any time, but I want to live in history as a courageous man.”

Orla Guerin believes that Shahbaz Bhatti knew his days were numbered. “After we ended our conversation”, she said, “I could not escape the feeling that the minister had called to say goodbye”.

There are questions to be asked about all this. After all, Pakistan will soon be receiving more development aid from this country than any other country: and questions are more and more being asked about our relations with dodgy governments. Pakistan is supposed to be an ally. But is there not something dodgy in the extreme about a government which knows that one of its ministers is in great danger from terrorists and does nothing to protect him? Why was Shahbaz Bhatti refused extra security when he had asked for it? Why was there no security guard in the car with him? Why was he refused a bullet-proof car?

I do not know the answer to these questions. The Pakistani government is clearly itself in an unstable condition. There is a climate of fear in what is now an increasingly unhappy country. And there are things to be said in the Pakistani government’s defence: it may be true that it gave this courageous man inadequate protection, but at least it appointed him to his position as a cabinet minister for minorities in the first place. Will it now make his legacy the reform of the blasphemy laws, increasingly being used as a means of persecuting Christians? Commentators seem to think that his assassination, and that of the Governor of Punjab (also an opponent of the blasphemy laws) make reform less, rather than more likely. If so, the terrorists have won: a profoundly depressing outcome.

Like many courageous Christians in Pakistan, Shahbaz Bhatti was a Catholic (most press reports simply describe him as a Christian). It must surely be said that he died for his faith, and that though his death is an event by which we are rightly horrified, it is also one by which we should be inspired. He died for opposing the persecution of all minorities, most of all for defending Asia Bibi, a Christian sentenced to death for blasphemy, as I recounted some time ago in this column, on the basis of false accusations. He was a truly brave man and a hero of the faith.

Pakistan’s religious minorities are now fearful for the future. Shahbaz Bhatti’s elder brother, Peter, said afterwards that his brother “was the last voice of the minorities of Pakistan. Religious extremism has crossed all limits… We… are desperate and depressed.”

But he also said that his brother’s sacrifice would motivate Pakistani minorities to come out in the open for their rights.

“A thousand Shahbaz Bhattis will now come forward and not stop till these dark forces are defeated,” he said. We must, of course, hope and pray that his words prove to be prophetic: but the omens do not look good.

Pakistan: Cabinet Minister Who Defended Christians is Assassinated

Since we have a President who is protecting the current Pakistani regime, and American aid, special forces, U.S. trainers and government contractors are spread throughout that country, the question must be asked:  do the leaders of Pakistan not care about what they have at stake, or does the U.S. President not care about the persecution, torture and murder being meted out to Christians in that country?

Shahbaz Bhatti

From Catholic World News

Shahbaz Bhatti, a lay Catholic who served as Pakistan’s federal minister for religious minorities, was assassinated on March 2 while traveling to work. He was 42.

The gunman who ambushed Bhatti's car and shot down the government leader left a note saying that Bhatti was killed "for speaking out against the blasphemy law." The assassin claimed credit for the killing in the name of Tehrik-e-Taliban, a coalition of Islamic extremist groups.

The cabinet minister had received multiple death threats when he questioned the death sentence for blasphemy handed down in the case of Asia Bibi, a Christian housewife whose friends insist that she was convicted on false charges.

“We are in a state of shock and panic: the Catholic community, all Christians, are traumatized by this latest murder,” said Peter Jacob, a layman who serves as secretary of bishops’ commission for justice and peace. “We feel bewildered and defenseless. This murder means that the country is at the mercy of terrorists, who can afford to kill high-ranking personalities.” Bishop Rufin Anthony of Islamabad observed: "“This should be an eye opener for minorities and the government. How much more blood will it take to realise that enough is enough?"

In Rome the director of the Vatican press office, Father Federico Lombardi, released a statement condemning “another terrible episode of violence.” He remarked: “It shows how right the Pope is in his persistent remarks concerning violence against Christians and against religious freedom in general.” The papal spokesman said that prayers for the victim should be accompanied by “an appeal that everyone many become aware of the urgent importance of defending both religious freedom and Christians who are subject to violence and persecution.”

Three weeks before his assassination, Bhatti had predicted that his reappointment as cabinet minister would “create some protests and resentment by many Islamic extremists. But my struggle will continue, despite the difficulties and threats that I have received. My only aim is to defend fundamental rights, religious freedom and the life of Christians and other religious minorities. I am prepared for any sacrifice for this mission, which I carry out with the spirit of a servant of God.”

Bhatti is the second prominent Pakistani leader who has been killed after urging changes in the country's blasphemy law. Salman Taseer, the governor of the Punjad province, was murdered in January. Sherry Rehman, a member of parliament who suggested amending the law, withdrew her proposal after receiving death threats.

Source(s): these links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

• Pakistan gunmen kill Christian politician (AP) 
• Pakistani minister for religious minorities killed (Vatican Radio)
• Shahbaz Bhatti, the Pakistani minister who defended Asia Bibi, is assassinated (AsiaNews)
• Pain and sorrow of the Pakistani Church and the world over the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti (AsiaNews)
• Declaration on Assassination of Pakistani Minister Bhatti (VIS)
• Profile: Shahbaz Bhatti (Dawn)
• Pakistan retains government office of religious minorities (CWN, 2/14)
• Terrorist threat against Catholic cabinet minister in Pakistan (CWN, 1/28)