The troubles began last week when hundreds of Christians protest in front of the Superintendent of Police Office in Lahore against the detention of 16-year old house maid Farzana, who they claim has been falsely accused of theft by her Muslim employer.
Baton-wielding police tried to disperse the crowd, slightly injuring several women, and arresting at least eight protesters, Christians told BosNewsllife.
The March 28 demonstration came a day after Farzana was arrested at the Lahore house of her employer, identified as Muhammad Abid. Police took her to the station where she was tortured and forced to confess to stealing from Abid, Christians said. .
Police officials declined to comment to BosNewsLife.
CHRISTIAN GIRLS
Christians say it is common in Pakistan for Muslim employers to falsely accuse Christians of crimes, particularly young Christian girls who they say are forced to work as house servants.
Following her arrest, police allegedly also searched Farzana’s home and briefly detained her elderly father and three brothers, whom they also tortured, according to Christian rights groups.
Although not yet formally charged with the crime, Abid has maintained the teenager was stealing gold jewelry, cash mounting up to 250,000 Pakistan Rupees (about $4.000) and other household valuables.
MANY POOR
Many house servants are poor. Farzana’s monthly wage was 500 Pakistan Rupees ($8) and she had been working for the last three months at Abid’s home, said Sharing Life Ministries Pakistan (SLMP), a Christian advocacy group.
SLMP Co-Ordinator, Sohail Johnson suggested to BosNewsLife there were serious doubts about her quilt as the alleged theft apparently occurred after Farzana already left the house. "She decided to leave because her employer, who got recently married, traveled to a nearby town to meet his in-laws. He later returned home and called Farzana to show up for work."
The case has underscored concerns among local Christians about what they regard as Islamic extremism in the country. Churches have urged Pakistan’s new government to tackle discrimination of religious minorities, including Christians, in this predominantly Muslim nation.
