Land dispute : Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) has voiced great concern about what it describes as a fake blasphemy accusation against Sarwar Masih, a Christian citizen of Gujranwala, which was reportedly exploited to aid illegal land grabbing. HRFP urges authorities to secure the safety of Sarwar Masih and his family, undertake an unbiased investigation, and bring the perpetrators to justice.
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On February 24, HRFP’s fact-finding team rushed to the scene of the incident and spoke with Sarwar Masih and the impacted family to ensure that they received all available help. The HRFP team also spoke with neighbours, police officials, and other key stakeholders to gather information and facts that show that the blasphemy threats are serious and appear to have been used to legitimise the illegal acquisition of the Christian family’s property.
Following the alleged unlawful possession of the home, the offenders hung religious banners, Qur’anic texts, and photos of the “Madina” (Muslim holy site) on the property, attempting to portray the issue as a religious one.
Sarwar Masih, his wife, and brother informed the HRFP team that attempting to regain their property would put them immediately at risk of blasphemy claims. They also voiced fear that any attempt to remove the religious banners would intensify tensions and jeopardise not just their family but also the larger Christian population in the neighbourhood.
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Witnesses, including Muslim Muhammad Shahid, a 50-year-old neighbour, informed the HRFP team that they had known the family since childhood and confirmed that the property was theirs. However, the occupants have issued threats, claiming that anyone attempting to remove the religious banners will be unjustly charged of blasphemy and the entire area will be torched. Furthermore, on February 23, the culprits issued a warning that anyone who attempted to unlock the door would be accused of desecrating Islamic items.
HRFP’s inquiry also discovered that the Sarwar Masih family has lived on the same property for almost 70 years, with no past legal problems or court proceedings relating to ownership. The family viewed the blasphemy accusation as a huge barrier to justice, citing prior occurrences in which Christian houses were destroyed and burnt in response to similar charges.
Naveed Walter, President of Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP), remarked that this case illustrates a troubling pattern: “This is not the first time land grabbers have allegedly used threats of blasphemy claims to silence Christian families and force them to quit their houses. In many situations, victims are attacked or left isolated, terrified, and forced to migrate rather than seek justice.”
Naveed Walter, President of HRFP, listed comparable situations in which blasphemy threats evolved into false allegations and attacks resulting from personal issues, property problems, and workplace tensions, including the Faisalabad two nurses case and the Jaranwala violence. He also claimed that during the illegal seizure of Sarwar Masih’s property, police authorities refused to interfere and did not even file a First Information Report (FIR) against the criminals. “The prevailing climate of fear surrounding blasphemy allegations often discourages timely action by authorities and community members,” Naveed Walter told me.
HRFP emphasised that Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, particularly Sections 295-A, 295-B, and 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, have long been attacked by human rights defenders for their abuse and disproportionate impact on religious minorities. The organization advocated for extensive state-level reforms, such as safeguards against false accusations, rapid protection systems for vulnerable communities, and procedural changes to avoid abuse of the law.
HRFP calls for immediate protection for Sarwar Masih and his family, a transparent and impartial investigation into the alleged land grabbing and threats, legal accountability for those who use religious sentiments to settle personal or property disputes, and broader legal and institutional reforms to prevent the abuse of blasphemy laws in Sarwar Masih’s case and others.
Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rights of marginalised communities and urged civil society, media, and state authorities to ensure justice and protection for all citizens, regardless of belief or religion, in accordance with the vision of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
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