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in front recited something in Arabic. Two hours later, upon arrival at what was
believed to be a madrasa, the men reportedly shaved his head and moustache and
called him a Kafir (infidel). They allegedly slapped him, asked him to abandon his
activities and forced him to recite Islamic prayers. They then continued their journey
until they reached a basement at night where the pastor was shown photographs of
various buildings and pastors and asked whether he knew them and how much
financial support he received from them and from other local pastors. They allegedly
hit him with barbed wire rolled on a stick if he did not answer adequately. He was
further interrogated on where he obtained his religious books and money, who he
worked for and to whom he was reporting. The men finally took his wallet before
taking him to the car on another journey. Pastor Fazal was reportedly pushed out of
the car near Peshawar. He made his way to a hostel in Islamabad from where he was
brought to Lahore on 19 May 2004.
188. Prior to his abduction, Pastor Fazal had allegedly received an anonymous letter
instructing him to abandon his preaching and spreading of Christianity, or face dire
consequences. Reports indicated that he had informed the Deputy Inspector General
(DIG) and the Home Secretary about the letter. On 15 May 2004, he reportedly
received another letter accusing him of blasphemy. He reportedly informed Aasia
Nasir, an active member of the National Assembly, also Christian, as well as other
pastors, and they went to the DIG and to the Home Secretary. He was then provided
with police protection, which was allegedly inadequate.
189. The Special Rapporteur also brought to the Government’s attention the case of
Protestant pastor Yousaf Masih, aged 33, who was abducted while he was walking
home on 12 September 2004. A man allegedly held a revolver to his side and
threatened him with death before forcing him into a car with the help of an
accomplice. His abductors allegedly indicated that they were taking revenge for the
United States military presence in the country and ordered him to stop “praying for
Muslims” in his Baptist church in Jacobabad. Pastor Masih was reportedly taken into
a room where his head was shaved, and his shirt and trousers exchanged for
traditional “shalvar kamiz” clothing. Something was then allegedly injected into his
right arm that made him fall unconscious. He reportedly woke up in another room
suspended by his legs from an iron girder, with his hands tied behind his back. He was
reportedly severely beaten with long wooden sticks on his arms, back and legs and
given drugs again. When he next regained consciousness, he was lying on the ground
outside. Someone took him to the Bannu Christian Hospital where he was admitted
shortly after midnight on 14 September 2004. According to a medical report issued by
the hospital, the effects of the heavy beatings caused serious inflammation and
damage to the pastor’s leg tissues as well as an injury to his back. On 17 September
2004, Pastor Masih was transferred to his home in Jacobabad under police protection.
Although local police allegedly resisted initial attempts to file a report on his
disappearance, an official First Information Report was reportedly registered on 14
September 2004.
Follow-up to previously transmitted communication
190. By letter dated 5 August 2004, the Government of Pakistan replied to a letter
sent by the Special Rapporteur on 11 April 2003 regarding the case of Anwar Kenneth
Masih.