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CENTRE FOR LEGAL AID ASSISTANCE & SETTLEMENT

CLAAS Annual Report 2018

Annual Report 2018

Published by:

CENTRE FOR LEGAL AID ASSISTANCE & SETTLEMENT (CLAAS)

160- Hamza Town, Opposite Youhanabad

Ferozepur Road Lahore-Pakistan

Tel: +92-42-35457317, +92-42-35457318

E-mail: [email protected]

Website www.claasfamily.com

Printed: May 2019

Format and Layout: CLAAS Team

Copyright:

Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance & Settlement (CLAAS) - Pakistan

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.claasfamily.com/



Table of Contents

List of Acronyms& Abbrevations 3-8

Acknowledgements 09

About CLAAS 10-11

Reflections from National Director CLAAS 12-13

CLAAS Journey to Future Endeavours 14

CLAAS Board in 2018 15

CLAAS Team 16-17

Executive Summary 18-22

CLAAS Programme in 2018 23-25

Chapter 1- Fact Findings 26-38

Chapter 2- Awareness Rising & Capacity Building 39-54

Chapter 3- Advocacy, Lobbying & Networking 55-64

Chapter 4- Survivour’s Rehabilitation 65-83

Chapter 5- Women/Community Empowerment& Other Project 84-99

Chapter 6- Legal Aid 100-135

Chapter 7- Stories of Change 136-138

Chapter 8- Laws Open to Abuse 139-145



List of Acronyms and Abbreviations

Sr.# Acronyms Description

AI Advocates International

AA Advocates Asia

AGM Annual General Meeting

AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

ASST. Assistant

ATM Automatic Teller Machine

ACT Actionby Churches Together

ARD Alliance for the Restorationof Democracy

ASI Assistant SubInspector

Adv. Advocate

ATC Anti-Terrorist Court

ATA Anti-Terrorism Act

A.R.P Church Presbyterian Church

AGHS Legal Aid Cell

ASJ Additional SessionJudge

ADJ Additional District Judge

ASP Assistant Superintendent Police

ACRE Acre used in some countries equalto

4,046.86sq.m./4,840 sq.yd. BBC British Broadcasting Corporation

BHC British High Commission

BIBI Word Bibi usuall used for respect for a lady

CEO Chief Executive Officer

CLAAS Centre for Legal Aid Assistance & Settlement

CWS-P/A Church World Service Pakistan/Afghanistan



CM Chief Minister

CIA Central Intelligence Agency

CID Criminal Investigation Department

CNN Cable News Network

CD Compact Disk

CAP Community Advance Program

COP Churches of Pakistan

CIP Country Information Policy

CPI Consumer PriceIndex

CIR Christian Institute Raiwind

Cr.P.C Criminal Procedure Code

CCPO Chief City Police Officer

CH Chaudhary & Landlord

CLAP Christian Lawyer Association Pakistan

CNIC Computerized National Identity Card

CHAK The word CHAK use for Village

CHALLAN The word Challan is used for Charge sheet.

D&C Dilatationand Curettage

DOC Document

DPO District Police Officer

D/O Daughte rof

DIG Deputy Inspector General

DHQ Divisional Head Quarter

DSP Deputy Superintendent of Police

DSJ District Session Judge

DNA Deoxyribo nucleic Acid



DCO District Coordination Officer

DDOR Deputy District Officer Revenue

DAR-UL-AMAN Shelter Home for Women

EDO Executive District Officer

EU European Union

F/O Father Of

FIR First Information Report

FIA Federal Investigation Agency

FBI Federal Bureau Of Investigation

FCO Foreignand Common Wealth Office

GEO Gene Expression Omnibus & name of a TV Channel

G.T ROAD Grand Trunk Road

HMK Hilfsation Maertyrer Kirche

HRCP Human Rights Commission of Pakistan

HAZRAT or

HAZRET

Hazrat or Hazret is an honorin Arabic title used to honor a

person

HBL Habib Bank Limited

IGFM International Society for Human Rights-German

Section ICCO Inter Church Organization for Development

Cooperation I.O Investigation Officer

N.I.C National Identity Card

IBA International Bar Association

IGI Industrial General Insurance

JAC Joint Action Committee for People’s Rights

JD Name of School

KM Kilometer

KG Kilogram

LTD Lane Transit District



MFI Mehdi Foundation International

MS Medical Superintendent

MBE Member Of The British Empire

MSS Marie Stops Society

MNA Member National Assembly

MPA Member Provincial Assembly

MLC Medico Legal Certificate

MCB Muslim Commercial Bank

MCFI Muslim Christian Federation International

MD Managing Director

MQM Muttahida Quami Movement

MP Member Parliament

MEP Member European Parliament

MARLA Themarla is 1squarerod,so272.25square feet.

MASIH Masih is the Arabic work for Messiah (Christ).

InmodernArabicitisusedasoneofthemanytitleof

Jesus.

NAO National Audit Office

NAZIM Organizer, Convener & Coordinator of cities and towns in

Pakistan

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

NCJP National Commission Justice & Peace

ICCD Interfaith Commission for Community Development

NCIDE National Commission for Inter-Religious Dialogue

NCCP National Council of Churches of Pakistan

NUML National University Of Modern Languages

NBP National Bank of Pakistan

NWFP North West Fortier Province

NIC National Identity Card

OPD Out Door Patient



PA Personal Assistant

PAF Pakistan Air Force

PPP Pakistan People Party

PPC Pakistan Penal Code

PBUH Peace Be Upon Him

PCNP Pakistan Christian National Party

PCCS Pakistan Christian Credit Society

PIMS Pakistan Institute for Medical Science

PML (N) Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz Group)

PST Pakistan Standard Time

RI Release International

R/O Resident of

RPO Regional Police Officer

RS In Pakistan, Rsisreferred toasthe“rupees”

SHO Station House Officer

SLMP Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan

S/O Sonof

SI Sub–Inspector

SP Superintendent of Police

SPARC Society For The Protectionof The Rights Of The Child

SSP Senior Superintendent of

SAP South Asia Partnership

SMS Short Message Service

TSA Technical Services Association

TLC Trinity Law College

TOLA Ten Gram Gold

TB Tuberculosis



TDA Tehsil Development Authority

TMA Tehsil Municipal Administration

UK United Kingdom

USA United States America

UN United Nations

U/S Under Section

UAE United Arab Emirates

UC Union Council

UP United Presbyterian

UCH United Christian Hospital

UDHR Universal Declaration of Human Rights

UNO The United Nations Organization

UNHCR United Nations High Commissions For Refugees

UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund

UNHRC United National Human Rights Commission

UNHCO United Nat0ions Health Care Organization

VS. Versus

WWW World Wide Web

WAR War Against Rape

WCC World Council Churches

W/O Wife of

WASA Water and Sanitation Authority

WAPDA Water and Power Development Authority

YRS Years

YMCA Young Men’s Christian Association

YWCA Young Women’s Christian Association



Acknowledgements

The enclosed report envisions the factual picture of CLAAS working during the preceding year

2018. CLAAS team, board members, affiliates and associated members tried their level best to

raise the core religious, political, social, economic, educational and cultural sufferings faced by

minorities in Pakistan specifically Christians.

CLASS and its team has been working hard for constructing bright future for minorities in

Pakistan and bring CHANGE in their lives specifically Youth through building their leadership

skills, raising awareness, providing free legal aid to get justice, rehabilitation, advocacy and

lobbying both at national and international platforms etc.

I would like to acknowledge the efforts and hard work of all the individuals specifically CLAAS

staff for compiling this report for the year 2018. I am thankful to God Almighty for having such a

brilliant and devoted team, specifically the program, administration, legal advisors, Apna-Ghar

staff and other supporting staff. We would also not have been able to fight for this war against

discrimination and religious persecution without the support and encouragement of our national

and international partner organizations, CSOs and donors.

I concede the amplified role of our supporters for their continued support for presenting our

affirmative point of view against all forms of discriminations exerting in our country in the name

of religion and assert our demands for having an equal citizenship rights/ status for non-Muslims

in Pakistan nationally and globally.

Thank You!

M.A. Joseph Francis MBE

National Director

CLAAS



About CLAAS

CENTRE FOR LEGAL AID ASSISTANCE & SETTLEMENT (CLAAS) was started in Lahore

Punjab in the year 1992 b ya group of concerned friends who encouraged Mr. M.A. Joseph

Francis MBE to start working for the protection and promotion of human rights of minorities in

Pakistan. CLAAS works both at secular & ecumenical level and this incorporation is prominently

visible in the CLAAS Governance board.

CLAAS is a multi-religious organization that was specifically started to provide immediate relief

of legal aid and safe shelter to the victims of abuse and discrimination without cast and creed.

CLAAS is committed to address the acute needs of minorities specifically the victims of religious

intolerance (i.e.victims charged under Blasphemy and forced conversions) & human rights

violations faced by vulnerable groups, such as women and children.

AIM

CLAAS aims to provide its services to every individual who feel that their human rights are

violated or they are targeted because of their faith or gender. CLAAS’s work is based on issues

and it does not discriminate between gender, religion or political affiliation.

Vision

CLAAS vision is a civil society based on tolerance, social justice and equality.

Mission

To provide free legal aid and safe shelter support to victims of religious persecution, forced

conversion, gender based violence and other oppressions.

Values

The deeply held believes that shall guide all aspects of programs and operations and provide

the litmus test for all decisions at CLAAS

i. Love and respect for all

ii. Integrity

iii. Empathy

iv. Dedication

Goals

The ultimate goal of CLAAS is to work for the protection and promotion of human rights and

elimination of all forms of violations and help to build a just and peaceful society.



Objective

The main objective of CLAAS is to provide legal aid, assistance, settlement, protection &

rehabilitation for survivors of religious intolerance and fortification of persecuted places of

worships desecrated by fanatic and extremists.

CLAAS stress the following guarantees ensured by Constitution of Pakistan as the right

to:

Dignity: The dignity of the human person shall be inviolable. The state shall ensure the

elimination of all forms of exploitation.

Equality: All citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to the equal protection of the law.

There shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex alone.

Protection: To enjoy the protection of law and to be treated in accordance with law is the

inalienable right of every citizen, wherever he may be, and of every other person for the time

being within Pakistan. No action detrimental to the life, liberty, body, reputation or property of

any person shall be taken except in accordance with law. The state shall protect the marriage,

the family, the mother and the child.

Affirmative Action: Nothing shall prevent the state from making any special provision for the

protection of women and children. Steps shall be taken for full participation of women in all

spheres of national life.

Life, Liberty and Security of Person: No person shall be deprived of life or liberty saves in

accordance with law

Freedom of Movement: Every citizen has the right to move freely throughout Pakistan subject

to any reasonable restriction imposed by law in the public interest.



Reflections from National Director CLAAS

The situation of Human Rights in Pakistan in the year 2018 was not much different than the preceding years but OUR struggle to support and encourage vulnerable and weak continued and achieved many milestones over the period.

Minorities witnessed the same violence and

persecution that they have been subjected to, in

Pakistan far too long. Religious minorities are

disproportionately affected by blasphemy laws,

although more Muslims are prosecuted than any

other group. No-one convicted of blasphemy has

ever been legally executed in Pakistan, but a huge

number of people have been reportedly killed since

1990 in attacks by lynch mobs or vigilantes after being accused of it. The blasphemy law of

Pakistan has been grossly abused by many people while lodging false cases to settle personal

issues.

According to the “Situation of Human Rights in Pakistan 2018” by Human Rights Commission of

Pakistan (HRCP), at least 40 people were reported on death row or serving life sentences for

blasphemy. 16 new blasphemy cases were lodged in the year 2018, out of which three cases

were lodged against eight Christian people in Pakistan.

Under the present circumstances, misuse of discriminatory laws in Pakistan against the

religious minorities is on rise and CLAAS strongly recommend amending these laws.

An achieved milestone was one of the most high profile cases that was of Mst. Aasia Bibi, a

Christian woman who was acquitted in October 2018 by the Supreme Court of Pakistan after

being sentenced to death in 2010. The said verdict of Supreme Court was met with initiation of

angry protests by religious fanatics who provoked the religious sentiments of people and robbed

the public and private property of Pakistan. This assailant act created a sense of insecurity

among the general public especially in the mind of Christian community. A revision petition was

filed against release of Asia Bibi and was heard on January 29th 2019 that was subsequently set

aside and she was legally allowed to move out of Pakistan.

The women and girls in South Asia are born into a system that endorses inequity and

discrimination. They receive an unfair share of opportunities, attention and resources from the

moment of their conception. One of the most challenging yet unacceptable expressions of

gender based inequity is violence against women and girls. Gender based violence is far more

prevalent than is generally acknowledged. It exists in every part of the country with all



communities, castes and classes. However, Punjab in particular is home to many of the worst

manifestations of gender violence in Pakistan. Female infanticide, dowry deaths, acid attacks,

trafficking for prostitution, honor killing, wife beating and rape are some of the harsh realities

that women and girls face in the country.

Apart from lacking ways to opt easy access to legal aid, women in this part of the world are

more importantly unaware of their legal rights against gender based violence, sensitization and

unawareness. Neither public offices/elected representatives are responsible for planning and

implementation nor do NGOs working against the violence have sufficientdata at their disposal

to develop and implement effective and realistic plans. Essentially all the women (working or

not) are economically dependent on their male relatives like father, brothers, husband or sons.

Thus men control virtually all aspects of women’s lives whether domestic, reproductive, social-

culture or legal, etc. To further compound the issue, community in most of such instances

prefers to keep itself isolated from the victim. Generally community, media and decision makers

are not aware of the intensity of the issue and treat it as a mere social issue.

We demand that Government of Pakistan to address adversely the mounting issue of forced

conversions and forced marriages in Pakistan because there is no law against conversion in

Pakistan whereas number of conversion cases are increasing day by day. The provision of

legal fertility is that religious minority girls are easily targeted for Muslim majority. They rape,

convert and forcibly marry in order to save themselves from the punishment. The courts always

showed their biased attitude if a minor Hindu and Christian girl contract marriage under the

Sharia Law and always kept aside the child marriage restrain act where the age of a girl for

marriage is determine as 16.

Thank You!

M.A. Joseph Francis MBE

National Director

CLAAS



CLAAS Journey to Future Endeavors

CLAAS has completed its twenty five years of services by Grace of GOD in the field of human

rights and women rights. This would not have been possible without the perseverance and

commitment of its dedicated team which stood with CLAAS in all thick and thin. At present,

CLAAS has twenty one permanent staff members on its payroll apart from having volunteers.

CLAAS operates under the fearless leadership of its National Director Mr. Joseph Francis,

whose commitment and dedication to serve his community made into being CLAAS into a

reality. CLAAS recognizes the importance and power of unity and actively participate in every

activity of all like-minded individuals and organizations to show solidarity and companionship.

CLAAS works in close association with the number of National & International organizations,

CSOs, donors, Government’s departments like Women Development Department (WDD),

Punjab Commission on Status of Women (PCSW), National Commission on Status of Women

(NCSW), Human Rights Commission of Punjab (HRCP), and relevant Ministries like Ministry of

Human Rights & Minorities in Punjab, Parliamentarians and most importantly OUR

Communities, who are backbone of our work that not only need our assistance, but they are our

Supporters also.

CLAAS National Director Mr. Joseph Francis has been elected as the Council member since

1992 to date. CLAAS participated in the 28th UPR pre session meetings held in Geneva in

October 2017. CLAAS partnered with Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (a Para-

church organization) and submitted a joint report on the State of Religious Minorities in

Pakistan. World Council of Churches arranged joint meetings of CCJP and CLAAS delegates

with members of various permanent diplomatic missions in Geneva to present their

recommendations on specific issues and concerns related to victimization of religious minorities

in Pakistan.



CLAAS Board in 2018

CLAAS Board

Chairman

Rt. Rev. Samuel Robert Azariah

Treasure

Mr. Younis Rahi

Fr. Inayat Bernard

Mr. Marvin Pervaiz

National Director

Mr. M.A Joseph Francis MBE

Chief Executive

Mr. Wasim Muntizar

Mr. Albert David

Mrs. Risha Qadir Baksh

Mr. Amjad Saleem Minhas

Ms. Eiga Kenny



CLAAS TEAM



CLAAS Teamin the Year 2018

1. Mr. M.A. Joseph Francis MBE National Director

2. Ms. Eiga Kenny Program Officer

3. Mr. Sohail Habel Finance Manager

4. Mr. Sahil Chamman Assistance Finance Manager

5. Ms. Samina Yaqoob Assistance Finance Manager

6. Mr. Dawood Sohail Internal Auditor

7. Ms. Rubina Ghazal In-charge Legal Department

8. Ms. Sonia David Field Officer

9. Mr. Asif Raza Assistance Field Officer

10. Mr. Johnson Sohail Receptionist

11. Mr. Asif Khan IT officer

12. Mr. Ashraf Masih IT officer

13. Mrs. Nasreen Sajjid Kitchen-In-Charge

14. Mr. Sahil Pervaiz Support Staff

15. Mr. Vishal Ashraf Support Staff

16. Asif Watchman

17. Mukhtar Masih Watchman

LegalAdvisorsCLAAS & Court Clerks

1. Mr. Tahir Bashir Advocate HighCourt

2. Mr. Nasir Anjum Suba Advocate High Court

3. Mr. Akhtar Sindhu Advocate High Court

4. Ms. Ayesha Boota Advocate High Court

5. Mr. Abdul Wahid Qazi Advocate High Court

6. Mr. Aqeel Naveed Court Clerk

7. Mr. Para Asif Court Clerk

Staff of ApnaGhar (Rehabilitation Centre for Women & Safe House)

1. Ms. Jameela In-charge-Apna Ghar

2. Mr. Basharat Masih Watchman

3. Mr. Sajid Sadique Tailor Master



Executive Summary

As previously, In the year 2018 also, CLAAS provided free legal assistance to the survivors in

criminal and civil cases of all sorts, shelter provided for their security, conducted social

integrations and awareness sessions for survivors and community, capacity building trainings

for its staff members and empowered the survivors by providing skills based trainings,

financially supported in their daily needs, food packages provided on monthly basis, supported

their children for formal and informal education.

1.1 Fact Findings

CLAAS is known for its reliable and impartial

reporting of incidents of human rights violations.

Besides accuracy, comprehensiveness approach

is a critical factor in validity of any fact finding

mission. To acquire actual facts, CLAAS fact

finding team conducts their own fact findings

missions and consequently legal, counseling and

medical assistance is provided after assessing

the real situation and need of the affected family.

Likewise, these cases are documented,

published and shared with like-minded local and

international human rights organizations, individuals, diplomatic missions and church

organizations to highlight the intolerable plight of religious minorities and mobilize their public

opinion.

1.2 Awareness Raising and Capacity Building

Awareness raising, sensitization and capacity

building of the margenlinzed communities

specifically Youth, Women and Girls is the core

motive of CLAAS. For the same, CLAAS

arrange sensitization sessions, awareness

workshops, seminars, capacity building, religious

tolerance, human rights, pro-women laws, peace

building and other related laws like inheritance

rights, Christian marriages Act and other

discriminatory laws against religious minorities.

CLAAS also arrange leadership skills trainings,



income generation trainings/opportunities, social integration programs and panel discussions

around diverged issues like religious tolerance, social and religious discrimination and gender

based violence.

1.3 Advocacy and Lobbying

Advocacy and Lobbying is another key

dimension of CLAAS where organization is

proactively committed to raise the unheard

voices of discriminated segments of society

specifically the minorities in Pakistan concerning

the violations of human rights and other

discriminatory laws on national and international

level. For the same CLAAS organize press

conferences, peace dialogue, consultations with

parliamentarians and meetings with diplomatic

missions on the current issues regarding the

religious minorities.

1.4Survivors’ Rehabilitaiton

Violence against Women is another sordid reality

of our society which women face in Pakistan at

any instance of her life; rather it is domestic

violence, sexual violence or assault, abduction,

forced marriage and forced conversion etc. In

such circumstances, their family members

(parents, husbands or neighboring communities)

are often reluctant to take them back home due

to social stigma attached to such survivors or

because of pressure and life threats assert from

the perpetrator to draw back legal charges

against him/ her. These survivors are given safe

boarding and lodging assistance in CLAAS shelter home “Apna Ghar”, where they are provided

safe and protective environment till the conclusion of their legal cases and connect them with

decent livelihood opportunities.

i) These women survivors are also provided counseling and medical treatment. Awareness

raising sessions are also arranged with the help of qualified human rights activists and lawyers

to aware these survivors about their legal and social rights and entitlements.

ii) Women survivors staying in “ApnaGhar” are also provided with hands-on skilled based

trainings to empower them to become financially independent.

iii) They are also encouraged to acquire informal education and for the same, an adult

literacy center is run with the provision of female teacher in the center. Consecutively, if a



woman or girl wants to continue with her studies and want to go to College or University, the

same is also provided by CLAAS while observing all required security measures. Furthermore

CLAAS also provide counseling and trauma healing assistance to the survivors.

Further, there a number of cases where the level of hostility reaches the point where even if the court decides in favor of the victim, s/he or the entire family may not have the possibility of surviving in a given locality. CLAAS has helped a number of these victims in resettling in other localities away from the places where they are known and could not be victimized in the future.Religious intolerance in Pakistan makes it extremely dangerous for individuals for practicing their Christian faith, Free- will marriages and Inter- faith marriages are also intolerable in Pakistan. Women who dare to marry without the consent of their family, especially outside of her religion are viewed as someone who may bring embarrassment and disgrace to the family. The stabbing of the victim is viewed as a way to restore the reputation and honor of the family. The perpetrators of honor killings are often legally pardoned due to having loopholes in the law. CLAAS has been approached by individuals, couples and families who faced serious threats from their families and local radical groups. At that time, CLAAS was unable to provide them shelter support, but extended them legal help. In 2004, Barnabas Funds UK enabled CLAAS to purchase a piece of land to build a Safe House. This Safe House has proved to be a Safe Haven for couples and families who face life threats.

iv) CLAAS provides immediate relief to survivors of mob attacks on Churches, Christian residential areas, villages and suicide bomb blasts in public places and parks. CLAAS has been providing financial and medical assistance to these survivors including widows, prisoner’s families, and disable, old & ill people.

Mainly the survivors of human rights violations or Blasphemy or others may suffer many societal

embarrassment and even don’t have decent livelihood opportunities to support their families

mainly as Family head. CLAAS support them financially for generating economic opportunities

as per their skills and also support them in acquiring technical education to start their own

business. CLAAS also encourages survivors to obtain formal education and connect them with

schools or colleges while providing them financial support.

1.5 Women Empowerment

CLAAS believes in Women Empowerment and

the same is not possible without having social,

economic, political and personal rights of every

woman living in Pakistan. There are various laws

existing in Pakistan that are discriminatory to

women and restrict them from participating in

political, social and economic decision making

avenues. CLAAS is very vocal in exerting

awareness around women rights related issues

in Pakistan and has extensively struggled along

with other prominent women rights organizations

for the promotion of women equal rights to education, health, economic empowerment, and



amendments in family laws, equal pay scale for women, right to own property and inheritance.

CLAAS encourages young girls to actively participate in all activities carried out in their own

communities, churches, villages and even in families to assert their presence as volunteers.

Empowering young women economically consequently develop nation and that is only possible

when women are provided sustainable livelihood opportunities, For the same, CLAAS organize

skills based trainings in jewelry making, sewing and stitching, cosmetology and others to

generate income opportunities. CLAAS also provide financial support to all young girls in

accessing their rights to education.

1.6 Other Projects

Feeding Project

CLAAS always felt inflated need of our

communities to extend additional support

specifically in cases of Blasphemy where the

male member of the family as sole bread earner

was presumed to be accused and was put behind

the bars for a longer period of time. CLAAS is

also approached by many widows who are

unable to feed their children due to lack of

resources. They are financially supported by

CLAAS’s individual efforts and Barnabas Funda-

UK through Feeding Project to provide monthly

grocery etc. At present, there are 40 beneficiaries of this project

Sunday school

The children on brick kilns are most deprived and

marginalized section of the society and most of

them belong to the minorities’ specifically

Christians in Pakistan. They are born in an

inadequate situation and grown up as part of the

system where they cannot attend school; instead

they work with their parents as labor to contribute

to their meager income and to pay off the debt

accumulated from the owner. They cannot

acquire formal education and even are not aware

of religious education. CLAAS initiated a project

named SUNDAY Schools at brick kilns and other possible avenues for childrenthrough local self

support.Sunday school encourages spiritual interaction among students and teachers, as well

as provides a comprehensive way of learning. Currently CLAAS support five SUNDAY

SCHOOLS on the brick kiln areas in surrounding areas of Kasur District near Lahore and more

than 300children are getting formal and religious education there. One Sunday school is also

imparting religious as well as formal education in Youhanabad, District Lahore and many extra-



curricular activities are also arranged including picnic, excursion, funfair etc. to build their self-

confidence and self-reliance.

1.7 Legal Aid

Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement

(CLAAS) was established in 1992 with the vision of

providing free legal aid and support the most

underprivileged segments of society in Pakistan

and to address the human rights issues faced by

the religious minorities, women and children.

CLAAS stands firmly against all forms of Human

Rights and Fundamental Rights violations faced by

minorities in Pakistan. CLAAS primarily help

victims of religious persecution, prisoners of

conscience, forced marriage, forced conversion,

sexual assault, illegal confinement, police torture, domestic violence and other oppressions by

aiding them with free legal aid and rehabilitative support.

Jail Visits

Steering jail visits is the main prerequisite of

CLAAS that organization undertakes on quarterly

basis to ascertain the crucial needs of innocent

male, females and children (juveniles) confined in

different jails of Pakistan specifically the victims of

Blasphemy and other related human rights

violations for a longer period of time and having no

access to legal or counseling remedy. During the

preceeding years, CLAAS provided legal, medical

and counseling assistance to the prisoners of

conscience.CLAAS also intends to start a Prison

Ministry where a Pastor will be invited to visit jail inmates for extending spiritual counseling as

well as conducting Sundays, Christmas and Easter Mass events will also be arranged for the jail

inmates.



CLAAS Programme in 2018

CLAAS

Fact Findings

Free Legal Aid

Feedings Project

&

Sunday School

Advocacy

and

Lobbying

Women Empowerment

Survivors' Rehabilitation

Capacity Building &

Awareness



Activities Vs Beneficiaries Table 2018

Activities Individuals

Number

Children Women Men Community

Issues

90 Free Legal Aid Cases (43 previous and 47 in 2018 criminal and civil matter) (20 men prisoners and 41 others)

130 individuals 04 community issues

01 68

61

04

12 Fact Findings 12 incidents steered by CLAAS in 2018

04 03 04 01

86 individuals accommodated in Apna Ghar and Safe House

61 individuals in Apna Ghar

17 44 00 05

25 individuals 05 families in Safe House

15 06 04

04 Capacity Building Trainings for staff members.

23 individuals 00 09 14

07 Awareness Sessions for survivors and community on Human Rights & Legal Rights, Mortality Issues, Sexual Harassment, General Health Issues and Childcare Issues


Survivors Rehabilitation survivor’s settlement with financial support, support for formal & informal education, skill based training, medical treatment and for different requirements)

93 individuals (69 with financial support) (12 got skill training) (12 student got formal education)

38 35

20

178Beneficiaries of the Feeding Project

40 families 178 individuals 65 81 32

250Christmas gifts distributed among Sunday school and brick kilns’ laborers children


Total Numbers of beneficiaries

1062 individuals & 05 community issues

390 507 165



Legal Aid & Fact Finidng

12%

Shelter Support 8%

Capacity Building & Awareness

27%

Community Empowerment

37%

Feeding project 16%

0%

Activities Vs Beneficries



Chapter 1:

Fact Findings in 2018



Fact Findings Table 2018

Sr. No Name Nature of case District Date

1. Zanib Ansari Rape & murder Kasur

Fact finding by CLAAS

January 09, 2018

2. Saira Afzal Rape Case Gujranwala Fact Finding by

CLAAS January 19,

2018

3. Diam Masih Sodomy case Sahiwal Fact Finding by

CLAAS February 07,

2018

4. Patras Masih Blasphemy Case Shahdra

Lahore

Fact Finding by

CLAAS February 19,

2018

5. Imtiaz Masih Blasphemy or

Criminal (dispute

among Christian

and Muslim)

Faisalabad Fact Finding by

CLAAS February 24,

2018

6. Sunil Saleem Torture to death Lahore Fact Finding by

CLAAS March 18,

2018.

7. Attack on Church Religious Books

burnt

Paracha

Colony

Shahdara,

Lahore

Fact Finding by

CLAAS April 16, 2018

8. Asma Yaqoob Burnt alive Sialkot Fact Finding by

CLAAS April 23, 2018

9. Kainat Salamat

(murdered)

Murder case Gujranwala Fact Finding by

CLAAS May 08, 2018

10. Shamun Masih

(late)

Specious death Jhelum Dina Fact Finding by

CLAAS May 17, 2018

11. Yeushwa Masih Sodomy case Gujranwala Fact Finding by

CLAAS May 17, 2018

Legal Aid, Medical and

Financial Support

12. Faisal Masih

(murdered)

Murder case Sheikhupura

Fact Finding by

CLAAS May 18, 2018



1.1 Zainab Murder/Rape Case

Zainab Ansari, a six year old minor girl, resident of District

Lahore, Punjab was found missing on her way from home for a

Quran reciting class on 4th January 2018. The incident

happened when Zainab’s parents had gone to Saudi Arabia for

performing Umrah and she was living with her uncle’s family. Her

uncle, Muhammad Adnan, lodged a complaint with the Kasur

District Police Office. CCTV video footage, which was

discovered by Ansari’s family members without any help from

authorities, showed her accompanied by an unknown bearded

man in white clothes, holding her hand and leading her to an

unidentified place. Later, her body was found in a near garbage

heap on 09th January 2018. After autopsy, she was confirmed to

be raped and strangled to death. This brutal act of Zainab’s rape

and murder incited protests and outrage in Kasur and other major cities of Pakistan and

internationally through social, electronic and print media.

On the same day i.e. January 09, 2018, CLAAS fact finding team under the leadership of

National Director Mr. M.A. Joseph Francis gathered the evidences from the place of incident

and offered legal help to the family.

The accused had been identified as Imran Ali (through CCTV cameras), resident of same

locality and was determined to be a serial killer responsible for seven previous murders in the

area. The Chief Minister of Punjab Mr. Shahbaz Sharif also visited the victim’s family and JIT

was constituted. As per the investigation report by JIT and through DNA report of Zainab, it was

identified that 08 other minor girls had been brutally victimized in the past one year and the

culprit was found to be the same person as Imarn Ali as in the case of Zainab Ali.

CM of Punjab announced the arrest of the

suspect, Imran Ali in a press conference on

January 23, 2018, and confirmed that eight minor

girls including Zainab were raped and murdered

within the same locality and the suspect was a

serious killer. Imran Ali confessed to his crimes.

On 17 February 2018, an anti-terrorism court in

Lahore Central Jail established Imran Ali guilty of

raping and murdering Zainab’s Ansari. The court

handed him four counts of the death penalty, one

life term, a seven year jail term and Rs. 3.2 million in fines. He was sentenced to death for the

rape and murder of Zainab and twelve other underage girls, and was executed in the early

morning of Wednesday October 17, 2018 at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail.



1. 2 Saira Rape Case

Saira, a 13 year old Christian girl, daughter of

one Afzal Masih, resident of village Kot Waris

near District Gujranwala was raped by a Muslim

on January 14, 2018. She was taken to a nearby

hospital and later for a DNA test and Amir

Zaman (accused), a 28 year old Muslim was

arrested the same day after the registration of

FIR. As per the facts, Afzal Masih had been

living in that rural area since the past 20-25

years and working on the farmhouse of a

landlord named Chaudhry Ishtiaq Ahmed.

On January 14, 2018 Afzal Masih was busy in

arrangements for Chaudhry Ishtiaq’s son’s

marriage ceremony while Saira went to work with

her little cousin. When Saira reached at the

farmhouse, Amir noticed that the minor girls

were not accompanied by any adult family

member. Taking advantage of the situation, Amir

lured both girls inside the stable and started

beating them up. He then tied Saira’s cousin to a

pillar using both their scarves and then forcibly

took Saira in the nearby fields where he viciously

raped her. When the girls did not return home

after so many hours, Saira’s family went out to look for them. They reached the farmhouse and

found her little cousin tied up and upon inquiring, she told that what had happened. They heard

Saira shouting for help in the fields while Amir Zaman had already been escaped from the

scene. When landlord was told about the whole incident, he made all required efforts to have

Amir arrested. Afzal Masih he had been living in the said village as a religious minority since

decades and all Muslim inmates of the locality supported him fully in solidarity.

CLAAS fact finding team visited the victim’s family and also went to the Police Station Saddar

Wazirabad to gather facts. Amir had been arrested and after interrogation was sent to prison.



1.3 Daim Sodomy Case

Daim Masih son Javaid Masih aged 7 years, resident of Chak

86/9-L in District Sahiwal became victim of sodomy on January

29, 2018 on the incidence of a local Muslim resident named

Shah Arshad. As per the facts collected by CLAAS fact finding

team, it was revealed that on the day of incident, Daim was

coming back home from school alone. Shan Arshad, while

seeing him alone, grabbed him in the nearby field and

committed sodomy with him. Listening Daims hues and cries,

two local residents approached the place of incident and saw

Daim in a severe bad condition. Daim’s parents took him to the

nearby hospital, where he was provided first aid. An FIR no.

57/18 (under the offence 377 PPC) was registered against

Shahn Arshad at GallaMandi Police Station District Sahiwal on the complaint of Daim’s father.

Shahn, the accused was arrested the same day. CLAAS team offered free legal and counseling

services to Daim.CLAAS team also met Shahn Arshad (the accused) in the police lock up.

During the conversation, he confessed to his crime.

1.4 Patras Masih Blasphemy Case

A blasphemy case under the section 295C of the Pakistan

Penal Code (PPC) was registered against a Christian Patras

Masih, resident of Tair Village, Shahdara, and District Lahore on

February 19, 2018. CLAAS was approached by the local

residents. CLAAS fact finding team visited the place

immediately to gather the actual facts of the Blasphemy

incident. PatrasMasih, aged 16 years, son of Andrayas Masih,

was working as cleaner in a local banker. According to the facts,

there was a Facebook group named (Paglon Ki Basti) made by

some Muslims in which Patras was also added along with other

Christians. Patras posted a photo of Mosque’s Dome on which

he was standing by putting his feet on it. The day he posted,

other Muslim friends of Facebook, got infuriated and gathered

on Shahdra intersect including activists of “Labaik Ya Rasool Allah” for protest. They demanded

the seizure of suspect of Blasmphmy Patras for hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims.

After that, the mob marched towards the resident area of Christians where Patras Masih was

residing. They started throwing bricks on the Christian houses. Police tried to disperse the mob

but the agitation continued. Some local Muslim clerics also intervened but of no avail.CLAAS

met Patras’s grandfather Pervaiz Akhtar Naz and offered them legal help. It was informed that

Patras had been handed over to the local police and an FIR had been lodged against him under

PPC section 295C FIR number 174/18 in Maachis Factory Police Station Lahore.



Update: Sajid Masih

On February 23, 2018, it was reported that one Sajid

Masih (Patras’s cousin) had jumped off from the FIA

building’s fourth floor while he was also in custody of

FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) as co-accused in

Patras Blasphemy case. He was seriously injured

and was in critical condition in Mayo Hospital

Lahore. On February 26 2018, CLAAS team visited

The Mayo Hospital Lahore to verify the rumor of

Sajid Masih’s death. According to his parents, Sajid

had been physically tortured and was forced to

perform sexual assault on his cousin Patras Masih

but he refused to do so and attempted suicide. Later Sajid revealed in his video statement that

the investigation officer and other three officials were torturing him physically and allegedly

forcing him to attempt sodomy with his cousin. A suicide case was also registered against

SajidMasih.

On April 13, 2018, CLAAS National Director Mr. M.A. Joseph Francis (MBE) along with his team

met Patras Masih and assured him full support. Mr. Joseph Francis also advised Patras Masih

to pray continuously for his safety and fast acquittal.

1.5 ImtiazMasih Blasphemy Case

Imtiaz Masih aged 35 years a Christian and father of 3 children, resident of Elahiyah Abad

District Faisalabad used to work in Faisalabad Waste Management Company as a janitor

(government employee). On February 23, 2018

during the Basant Festival (kite flying),Imtiaz Masih

along with one of his Muslim friend SaqibMansha

had a minor dispute on Kites flying that turned into

harsh arguments and abusive remarks and Saqib

started beating Imtiaz brutally. The real facts behind

this incident were that they had already had a

dispute on wall chalking on a Church’s wall. The wall

was right in front of the Church which local members

of the Church used to paint by writing Bible’s verses

on it. However some of the fanatic Muslim group

(LaibbaikYaRasool Allah) erased the verses and changed it into Holy Quran’s verse. They also

kept grudge in their heart So, to take their revenge, in the evening of February 23, 2018,

hundreds of people from LaibBaikYaRasool, holding clubs in hands, outrageously entered into

the Christian’s locality and started throwing bricks on their houses. In this confrontation, two

Muslims Azhar and Rizwan were seriously injured. The local police reached the place

immediately and an FIR number 238/18 was lodged under section 295-A 324, 145, 149 of the



Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and 7ATA against seven Christians including Imtiaz Masih all

Christians and one Muslim Saqib.

On February 24, 2018, CLAAS fact finding team,

visited Elahiyabad, District Faisalabad and met all

the related including the police, Christian political

leaders, Bishop Etc. A Peace Committee was

constituted through the intervention of local

Muslim Residents; including Muslim scholars,

local Christian Political Leaders and CLAAS team

and a solidarity meeting was convened in the local

Church. It was recommended that that this type of

incidents must be avoided as Muslims and

Christians both are brothers and they must live

happily and respect each other’s religion.

1.6 Sunil Saleem Murder Case

On March 18, 2018, one Sunil Saleem Masih, a Pakistani Christian and employee of Motorway

Police was mercilessly tortured and later murdered in Government Services Hospital Lahore by

young doctors, security guards and other medical

staff. The incident occurred when Kiran Saleem

sister of Sunil Saleem, who was pregnant, visited

the hospital for regular checkup. The gynecologist

was busy on her cell phone and asked one of the

nurses to attend the patient (Kiran Saleem) but

she refused to have a checkup from nurse. The

lady doctor got furious and after exchange of

some strong abusive arguments; she slapped

Kiran. Kiran informed her brother Sunil Saleem

about this immoral behavior of doctor and medical

staff. Sunil visited the hospital to sort out the matter and to have a checkup of his sister. But

unfortunately, due to the ruthless behavior of the hospital staff and doctors, a scuffle arose

between them and consequently Sunil was brutally beaten up by the doctors, security guards

and medical staff. Sunil was critically shifted to the emergency ward and afterwards he died on

the spot. The FIR was lodged under section 302 of the PPC against 8-10 doctors, 15-20

security guards and 10-12 hospital staff at Shadman Police Station Lahore. According to the

investigation and autopsy report, it was clear that Sunil had stumbled to the injuries because of

severely beaten up and his several bones had been fractured. Shortly, after the incident, the

doctors who were directly involved in this matter, cleverly took pre-arrest bails and falsely

lodged an FIR against the victim and his family that they had first brawled with the doctors and

the hospital staff. No public servant either took any action against the culprits or visited the



place of occurrence to meet the victim’s family and console them. Instead, the offenders are still

roaming freely whereas victims are facing severe problems.

1.7 Attack on Church in Paracha Colony Shahdara Lahore

An unpleasant incident happened on April 15, 2018,

wherein a Gospel of Jesus Mission Church located

in Paracha Colony, Shahdara, District Lahore, was

burnt by some Muslim residents of the area. After

having the news of this incident, CLAAS fact finding

team visited the locality and met the local Pastor

Yousaf Aziz John, in charge of the church and other

local residents. The Gospel of Jesus Mission

Church had been constructed in 5 Marlas and

nearly 200-300 Christian families were residing

there. The other two churches in the same locality

belong to other denominations as Catholic Church, and Pentecostal Church. At the time of

incidence, the boundary wall of the church was in the completion phase, therefore the

worshipers had gathered under the tent for prayer service. Eye witness Hanook Masih who

resided right in-front of the church stated that on April 15, 2018, after Sunday prayer service, he

saw black smoke and flames rising in the air from the church. He immediately jumped over the

wall of the church but unfortunately the tent of the church, carpets, dice, and furniture and most

importantly the Holy Bible and other religious books were burnt and had turned into ashes

before he could do anything. The area of the incident was so congested that it was difficult for

fire brigade staff to reach that place, so the local residents helped each other to extinguish the

fire. The attack on the church created so much panic among the local residents as it was the 3rd

incident on the Christian community in the same area of Lahore (Shahdara) that surely hurt the

religious sentiments of the community. The residents approached the nearby Police Station for

filing an FIR against the culprit’s. They were assured by the DSP for taking any constructive

steps, but afterwards, an FIR number 405/18, under the offence 436/427 of the Pakistan Penal

Code (PPC) was lodged against the unknown persons without informing the local residents and

Pastor Yousaf Aziz John stated that it had yet not been confirmed that who conspired this attack

as nobody was the witness of the incident. The local NGOs and religious leaders of Christian

community reached the occurrence area to share solidarity and harmony with local residents

and the in-charge Pastor Yousaf Aziz John. The Christian community of the affected area

remained safe, however the church was totally damaged. The police registered the FIR only for

burning the furniture and tent etc. and did not add the correct offence in the FIR which is 295-A

according to the law for hurting the religious sentiments and 7ATA to create a panic amongst

the society as the church is the public property and no one has the right to damage any public

property. Being unsatisfied from the police investigation and registration of FIR, the local

Christian community decided to submit an application for reviewing the FIR and put in the

correct section according to the law. The CLAAS also offered Pastor Yousaf legal assistance in

this matter.



1.8 AsmaYaqoob- A Burnt Victim

A 25 years old Christian girl Asma d/o Yaqoob

Masih was burnt by a Muslim Rizwan Gujjar as

she refused to marry him and convert to Islam.

According to the facts, Asma was working as a

housemaid and used to live at her employer’s

house at Pak Pura, District Sialkot. She was

familiar with a Muslim guy namely Rizwan Gujjar

aged 30 years, who had always been forcing her

to marry and embracing Islam but she refused.

On the day of incident i.e. 17th April 2018, Rizwan

went to her workplace and when Asma opened

the door, he surprisingly threw petrol on her face and fled away. Asma’s employer immediately

took her to Civil Hospital Sialkot and also informed her family. As Asma was critically injured,

she was taken to Mayo Hospital Lahore but she could not survive. An FIR was lodged against

the accused at Civil Lines Police Station; District Sialkot under the offence 336B of the Pakistan

Penal Code and the offender Rizwan was arrested. On April 23, 2018, CLAAS fact finding team

attended the funeral of Asma Yaqoob at Haji and also met deceased’s family for condolences

and offered legal help. CLAAS team also visited the concerned police station and met with

Investigation Officer (IO) who assured CLAAS free & fair investigation.

1. 9 Kinant Murder Case

On May 7th, 2018, social media was flooded with the news of a

seventeen year old Christian girl Kainat; who was brutally tortured

and murdered by her Muslim employer AsifGujjar at Kotli

Anananta, Thesil Kamonki, and District Gujranwala. According to

the facts, Kainat was working as a housemaid in house of Asif

Gujjar (Member of National Assembly Noon league) residence in

Wapda Town Gujranwala 50 Kilometers (31.069 Miles) away from

her own house from the last one year on a monthly salary of

Rs.5000/- only. On May 6th 2018,Salamat Masih, father of Kainat

received a call from Noor Alam, a land owner in village Kot Baray

Khan (Kotli) informing that his daughter had committed suicide

and her dead body was laying at his farm house. Salamat and his

sons immediately rushed to the place of incident where Asif Gujjar’s family (her owner) was also

present. Salamat called to local police who recorded Salamat’s statement and the same day i.e.

May 6th 2018, an FIR no. 344/18, under the offence 302, 147,149 of the Pakistan Penal Code

(PPC) was registered at Police Station Saddar Gujranwala against five persons of Asif’s family

and one unknown person. Kainat’s body was taken to DHQ hospital Gujranwala for postmortem

and later on, she was buried on May 7th, 2018.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Noon+league+MNA+Ismaiel+Gujjar+Gujranwala&client=firefox-b-ab&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwib0vWomvjaAhUDaFAKHXZoDZgQsAR6BAgAEC4&biw=1280&bih=910



On May 8th 2018, a fact finding team of CLAAS visited Kainat’s family for condolences and

offered legal help. CLAAS team also visited the concerned police station for inquiring the status

of Kainat’s murder.

The concerned Investigation Officer shared that although murder case had been registered

against the culprits and police had initiated the investigation, but no one had been arrested yet

and later on Salamt (Kainat’s father) distracted from his statement for not pursuing his case and

stated that Kainat had committed suicide. He was also not ready for conducting postmortem of

Kainat.

On probing about this diversion of Salamat from

his previous statement, he shared that Kainat

was interested to marry her sister’s brother in-

law and on his refusal, she got upset and

strangulated herself. CLAAS team asked

Salamat as if his daughter had committed

suicide then why social media had highlighted

that she was murdered by Muslim Asif Gujjar

and his companions? He declared that he did not

want to highlight the suicidal issue. CLAAS

offered him free legal assistance to get justice

but he clearly refused as was not willing to pursue the case furthermore.

CLAAS National Director Mr. M.A. Joseph Francis discussed this matter with high police officials

and asked them why the police was delaying the postmortem report. The concerned police

officer assured Mr. Francis for fair investigation of this case although the complainant did not

want to pursue further.

1.10 Shaumon Masih Murder Case

On May 01, 2018, one Shaumon Masih, aged 40

years, died mysteriously in washroom of a

private hospital named Zafar Hospital, located at

Dina, District Jhelum where he used to work as

sweeper for the last 18 years and was residing in

a nearby rented house with his wife Nasreen Bibi

and two minor children. CLAAS fact finding

team visited the aggrieved family of Shamoun

Masih on May 17, 2018 and met Nasreen Bibi,

wife of Shaumon. According to her statement,

she got married with Shaumon for the last 11

years ago. They had two children named Bakhtawer age 8 (son) and Arooj age 6 (daughter).

Shamoun was working as sweeper in a nearby hospital named Zafar Hospital for the last 18



years, whereas Nasreen was a housewife. On the day of incident i.e. April 29th 2018 Shamoun

went for his work as usual at but did not come till evening. Nasreen went to hospital for finding

out his whereabouts. It was shared that Shamoun was not feeling well and had gone home after

completing his work and having medicine from the hospital. She went back home and kept on

waiting but he did not come back the whole night. The next day, Nasreen again went to hospital

and requested hospital management to help her for searching him and asked to check the

hospital’s CCTV cameras. She was told that they had already checked their CCTVs cameras

and found that Shamoun had gone out of hospital after completing his working and taking the

medicine. They did not allow Nasreen to check all the floors of the hospital. After that, she along

with Dr. Zafar’s son (hospital owner) went to the concerned police station and lodged a

complaint about his husband. On May 1st 2018, hospital staff nurse came at her home and

asked her to go with her at hospital where Shamoun’s brother Yousaf, some relatives and police

officials were also present and Shamoun’s dead body was recovered from washroom of second

floor of the hospital.

CLAAS team also visited the Hospital and concerned police station.

According to Dr. Zafar (Hospital's owner) statement; his hospital was consisted of three floors,

On April 29th2018; Shamoun completed his work as usual and asked for medicine as he was

suffering from stomach pain. After taking medicine, he went back to his home. The same

evening, his wife Nasreen visited the hospital

and asked about him as he had not reached

home. The hospital staff was not aware about

him. Next day, a boy from hospital

management went to Shamoun’s house and

asked about him as he was absent from hospital

for the last two days. On the third day i.e. May

1st, 2018, the hospital staff members felt bad

smell and they checked all buildings of the

hospital. Finally they found a washroom on the

second floor which was locked. They

immediately called to Yousaf’s Masih

(Shamoun’s brother) and also called the concerned police officials of Dina Police Chowki District

Jhelum. In the presence of police officials, Yousaf Masih broke the washroom door and

recovered Shamoun’s dead body. As his body was fully smashed, police after initial inquirytook

his dead body for postmortem. The doctor further added that Shamoun was addicted and as he

died his natural death so no case had yet been registered against anyone.

According to the investigation officer of Dina Chowki ,no FIR had yet been registered because

Shamoun had died his natural death as per postmortem report of DHQ hospital Jhelum and no

injury had found on his body and he died due to suffocation. But DNA report was still awaited.

1. 11 Yeshwa Sodomy Case



A Christian teenage boy Yeshwa (13) was sexually abused by a Muslim fellow named Tariq Ali

(40) son of Saddiq on April 29, 2018 at Ghakhar Mandi District Gujranwala. CLAAS was

informed about this incident on May 17, 2018 and subsequently, CLAAS fact finding team

visited the aggrieved family at their home.

Yeshwa’s mother Rani Bibi shared that on the

day of incident; she went to her sister’s home

who was living the next street. Yeshwa went out

to find out her. In the meanwhile, when Rani

came back to home, she found that Yeshwa was

missing. They started searching for him among

the locality and also in their relatives but all in

vain. After passing two hours, Yeshwa’s father

Khalid Francis, along with his brothers and some

friends went to the nearest fields for searching

him. On the way, they found Yeshwa, withblood

sustained cloths. His physical condition was very critical. He shared that one Muslim Tariq Ali

had forcibly took him to the near fields where he sexually assaulted him and committed sodomy

with him three times on gun point. An FIR No. 154/18, under the offence 377 (for un-natural act)

of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) was lodged at Ghakhar against Tariq Ali and his medico-

legal examination was also conducted at District Headquarter (DHQ) hospital Gujranwala. The

medico-legal report confirmed that the act of sodomy had committed with him. It was shared

that Tariq had already committed sodomy with other two boys also but no legal action was taken

against him. Now all the Christians of the area wanted to take legal action against him to get

justice for Yeshwa. Tariq family had escaped away from the area to save their skin.

CLAAS team also visited the concerned police

station Ghakhar Mandi and met with the

Investigation Officer who shared that Yeshwa’s

medical report confirmed act of sodomy with him

and DNA report was still awaited from the Punjab

Forensic Science Agency (PSFA).CLAAS

promised the victim’s family free legal aid and

medical treatment for Yeshwa. The aggrieved

family visited CLAAS office on May 21st, 2018.

CLAAS financially helped the family and

appointed its legal advisor Mr. Samson Joseph

Advocate for legal proceedings at District

Gujranwala. CLAAS, on behalf of Khalid Francis, submitted an application before the DPO

Gujranwala to arrest the accused person. The concerned DPO issued orders to concerned

police officials for arresting the accused An FIR no.183/18 offence under section 212 of the

Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) was registered against Mittho Baber (accused’s brother) just to

involve him in the investigation. Later on police arrested accused Mittho Baber.



Financial Support & Medical Treatment

Khalid is a poor sick man, and is suffering from diabetic along with many other health issues.

He is unable to do any job whereas his wife Rani was working as sweeper in a private school.

He has four children (two sons and two daughters). Yeshwa is a youngest one and suffering

from cardiac disease and had severe heart attack in December 2017. Yeshwa was learning the

skill of motorbike mechanic from a private workshop but after this incident, he could not

continue his work as he was facing post incident fear. The family was also facing life threats

from Tariq’s family who forced them for compromise and asked them to take back their

complaint. CLAAS helped Yushma for the medical treatment and traveling expenditures.

1.12 Faisal Murder Case

A Christian teenage boy named Faisal son of

Khushi Masih was brutally murdered at

Sheikhupura by two Muslim brothers named

Bashrat and Baber. According to the details,

Amanat (26) s/o Khushi Masih was a resident of

Sheikhupura. On May 11, 2018 Amanat

approached CLAAS for legal help for murder of

his brother Faisal. According to the facts, three

Muslims boys namely Babar (30) and his brother Basharat (25) and Nadir (27) used to harass

their married sister Shazia (35) years old, who was living nearby to her brother Faisal residence.

Shazia shared the same with her brother Faisal who requested them not to harass his sister but

no avail, rather, they kept grudge in their heart. This continued for about one month. On July 10,

2017, Faisal was at his work place, Babar and Basharat came with deadly weapons and

assaulted him with knife. Faisal was immediately taken to the hospital but he could not survive.

Amanat got registered an FIR against Babar and Basharat but police did not take any action

against them and they both fled away from Sheikhupura. After 15 days of murder, Amanat and

his family came to know that Basharat was hidden in Shah Kot. Amanat informed police, who

arrested him but did not register any FIR against him and treated him as guest in police station.

After three months, Basharat was released. Police also demanded 100,000 rupees from

Amanat for taking action against Bisharat. Amanat and his family were threatening by Babar

and Basharat to withdraw this murder case against them. Shazia had also to leave Sheikhupura

and shifted to Sharaqpur. Amanat also lost his job.

On May 18, 2018, CLAAS team visited Amanat’s house and met his family, and then visited

Sheikhupura police station where it was shared that the said case had been transferred to

Safdarabad police station and perpetrators were declared as WANTED. CLAAS was assured a

fair investigation by Safdarabad police.



Chapter 2:

Awareness Raising and Capacity Building



CLAAS conducted 07 awareness raising & capacity building sessions in the year 2018 for

survivors and community in the surrounding cities of Lahore in which 246 women and 30 men

participated. These workshops were primarily focused on Human Rights, Legal Rights, Mortality

Issues, Sexual Harassment, General Health Issues and Parenting Issues. The main objective of

these sessions was “To aware the general public on how to combat intolerance and who to

approach in case of conflicted situation”.

CLAAS sensitize, aware and strengthen the leadership skills of Christian communities in

Pakistan specifically young girls and boys. They are given awareness on their legal fundamental

rights and what steps they need to take to confront these challenges and to strengthen their

struggle against injustice and discrimination through seminars, workshops, social integration

programs, press conferences, public hearings etc.

Sr.

#

Date Area Number of

Participants

Name of

Activity

Objective

1. March 08,

2018

Press Club

Lahore

40 Commemorating

International

Women Day

2018

Peaceful

demonstration

to raise

awareness

regarding

women’s rights

and demand for

justice and

protection of

women

2. May 7,

2018

CLAAS office

Lahore

34

One day

workshop for

“Creating

Awareness

regarding

Violence against

Women (VAW)

& GBV

Knowledge

sharing with the

survivors so that

they would be

able to raise

their voices

against violation

and

discrimination. May 28,

2017

CLAAS Office

Lahore

32

Follow up

Meeting on

violence against

women

3. July 19,

2018

CLAAS Office 45 Skills Based

Training

Economic

empowerment

of women to

build the

capacity of

unskilled women



and start

earning their

livelihood.

4. July 28,

2018

Gujranwala 75 Women

Harassment and

Sexual Abuses

Awareness

about women

protection &child

abuse law and

its

implementation

5. August 09,

2018

CLAAS Office

25 Parenting Skills

(especially for

brick kilns

workers and

other survivors)

Knowledge

sharing about

the social

behavior and

the role of

parents for

grooming

children to

become better

citizens

6. August 10,

2018

CLAAS Office 25 Training on

SRHR (Sexual

Reproductive

and General

Health Issues

(especially for

brick kilns

workers )

Personal and

environmental

hygiene

knowledge and

practice

7. December

13, 2018

CLAAS Office 15 Awareness

Sessions for

survivors on

Trauma Healing

Countering

various ways to

overcome stress

and tension

Total Figure 291 07 events

2.1 Commemorating International Women’s Day 2018

March 08, 2018; Centre for Legal Aid Assistance & Settlement (CLAAS) in collaboration with

other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) gathered in front of Punjab Assembly Hall for a

peaceful demonstration regarding Women’s Day to celebrate the struggle of great women like

Asma Jahangir, Tahira Mazhar Ali, Dr. Ruth Pfau, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and others who

stood up for women empowerment and also to provide them social justice. Westand united on

this special day and believe that this is the moral duty of the society as well as the Government

of Pakistan to inculcate awareness and transport behavioral change regarding the social and



cultural rights of women in Pakistan. Women in

Pakistan face various sorts of violence including

mental physical and psychological torture,

submissiveness, non-participation in decision

making both at domestic and political scenario

and CLAAS believe that this is the prime duty of

Government of Pakistan to provide a secure

environment to the citizens of Pakistan including

minorities, women, children, disables, older

people, Trans- genders etc. CLAAS strongly

condemns all sorts of Violence against Women

(VAW) and pledge to continue our struggle towards building a just and peaceful society for

everyone.

2.2 Workshop on Violence against Women (VAW)

May 7, 2018; CLAAS in collaboration with The

Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands

conducted a one day session for women

survivors at CLAAS regarding violence against

women titled “We Strive for Gender Equity for a

Just and Vibrant Society”. Mrs. Bushra Khaliq –

Executive Director, Women in Struggle for

Empowerment (WISE) was the resource person

of the workshop. The main purpose of this

workshop was to raise awareness regarding VAW

related issues in our society and empower our non-working women & young girls so that they

can avoid such mishaps occurred at home, in society and at workplace. More than 30 young

girls from different fields of life participated in the workshop.

The main components of the said workshop were:

- Violence Against Women (VAW) &Gender Based Violence (GBV)

- Women in Education

- Legal, Social, Political & Cultural Rights of Women

- Anger Management

- Conflict Resolution

Methodology:

-Group Presentations

-Recreational Activities

-Discussions



Proceedings: Despite thousands of strong working and career-oriented women, still some

domestic women are being mentally or physically tortured by their family and loved ones. They

are taught since their childhood to sacrifice their desires for the sake of family’s honor.The

workshop started with the detailed introduction of the participants in which they told about

theirone good and bad quality. Most of the women stated Anger as their bad quality.

BushraKhaliq briefed the usual norms of anger management and shared that women are

equally important members of society. They usually don’t show their anger and keep their

thoughts to themselves which creates health problems like depression. The only solution to built

better relationship is to express their feelings and discuss their problems with their family

members, friends or teachers. The importance of education was also discussed; Education, a

fundamental right, that every girl should acquire at the invent of her early ages.

CLAAS National Director Mr. Joseph Francis further elaborated that CLAAS is encouraging

women to speak up for their rights. He stated that “Not every man is a bad person and not every

woman is facing violence, but those who are facing, they should know how to handle the

situation. Parents should have a friendly relation with their children, so that they can share every

hazard they face with parents frankly.” The male members of the family should treat women with

respect and dignity. Gender Equality is the main core of our society.

Group Presentations and Recreational Activity:

The facilitator identified the issues, impact and

resolution through group presentations and

recreational activity. Motivational songs were also

played. Another activity was to write down the types

of violence, who do that and where they did it. The

participants shared their personal stories of

violence and said that this workshop helped them in

thinking about the causes of the violence and how

they can prevent it. Young girls complained about

the family atmosphere where their opinions aren’t

given much worth.They are not given the right for decision making for their own lives. At the

end, individual feedback was consolidated.

Follow-up Meeting with Survivors

May 28th 2018; a follow-up meeting was

conducted with women survivors who had earlier

participated in one day workshop on May 07,

2018. In the first meeting, problem identification

of violence against women was briefly discussed

with the survivors. In follow-up meeting, survivors

reviewed the knowledge, good experiences and



ways to avoid mishaps in the family that they had learnt in the first session. Survivor’s family

members also participated in this follow up session and they appreciated CLAAS’ efforts

towards community awareness. Through these type of awareness sessions, CLAAS’ aims to

raise aware among the people to deal with their issues and resolve community’s problems

within the society and increase the capacity of poor and marginalized community.

2.3 Workshop on Skills Training

July 19, 2018; a one day skills building

training workshop was organized with women

survivors in collaboration with The Embassy of

The Kingdom of Netherlands. More than 40

women participants from District Kasur and

Lahore attended this workshop. The main

purpose of this workshop was to support and

empower young women through providing

these training opportunities so they can

generate income to support themselves and

their families. The facilitators of this workshop

were Captain Shumaila& Lt, Gulnaz from The Salvation Army Pakistan. The main topics of

workshop were Literacy, Sewing, Beautician and Cooking Classes. This workshop built the

capacity of illiterate women who had no choice except doing menial jobs i.e. housemaid,

sweeper, factory laborer and brick kiln laborer etc. Although these all professions give

opportunity to earn their livelihood, but due to poverty, illiteracy and so many other reasons,

they are deprived of to get skilled jobs. Most of Christian girls are working in the houses of

Muslims as housemaids, at brick kiln as bonded laborer, in factories as laborers, in the

farmhouses and grazing land under the supervision of the landlords etc and become the victim

of violence, rape, sexual assault, forced conversion and forced marriage etc. Asia Bibi’s case is

one of the examples of such like incidents. To avoid any mishaps and uplift our women, it is

necessary for them to get education, skills training, startup own business and make their life

better and secure their future. The participants appreciated CLAAS’ efforts towards women

economic empowerment.

2.4 Awareness Rising Session on Women Harassment & Sexual Abuse

July 28th, 2018; Centre for legal Aid Assistance

and Settlement (CLAAS) in collaboration with

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands

organized a one day awareness rising session at

Francis Abad Gujranwala for the community on

Women Harassment and Sexual Abuses. The

local coordinator Mrs. Rubaiqa Farhat Advocate

warmly welcomed CLAAS team and the session



started with prayers and short introduction of participants. Mr. Tahir Bashir Advocate and Ms.

Ayesha Bhatti Advocate (legal advisors CLAAS) were the facilitators of this workshop. More

than 65 women participated in this workshop including students, housewives and working

women. Both facilitators shared their massive knowledge with the participants through

multimedia presentation, telefilm, video clips and case studies etc.

Ms. Ayesha widely discussed the background of

sexual harassment in Pakistan and types of

harassment etc. Through case studies and

different examples, Ms. Ayesha shared that how

women become the victim of sexual harassment

and who, how and why women are harassed

and how we can deal these types of unwanted

incidents. The role of our family, society and

community towards this topic was also

discussed. Although it is hard to wipe out this

inhuman act from the community but we should

adopt the ways to deal this unwanted behaviors.

Mr. Tahir Bashir Advocate discussed Laws on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Abuse in

Pakistan, women rights in Constitution of Pakistan 1973, the protection against Harassment of

women at workplace Act 2010 etc.

CLAAS National Director Mr. Joseph Francis discussed the ways to stop harassment and

sexual abuse in Pakistan. He shared his views about women protection, child abuse and laws

and its implementation. The participants and coordinators gave positive response during the

whole day activity. They shared that before this session, they were not familiar with legal rights

and laws about women and children etc. This workshop enhanced their knowledge. They all

appreciated CLAAS efforts towards community awareness.

2.5Session on Parenting Skills

9th&10th August 2018; CLAAS organized a two

days workshop for women at CLAAS office.

More than 25 women participated in this

workshop from the rural areas of Lahore and

Kasur. The first day session focused on

Parenting Skills and second day session

elaborated Sexual & Reproductive Health and

General Health issues. Ms. Shumila, Ms. Nazia

and Captain Ameena Sabir from The Salvation

Army Pakistan Territory were the facilitators of

this workshop. In the first session, the

facilitators shared the role of parents and

different parenting styles towards their children’s behavior.The parent’s responsibilities, care

taking, attitude or behavior towards the children, children’sbehavior and the role of parents was



also discussed.The parents’ play a central role in their children’s life and collective decision

making is evident in matters such as education, marriage, living arrangements, financial and

emotional support. Through examples they shared how we can sustain and play a positive role

in our family and society. Our religion, culture values and social environment plays an important

role in our lives. By adopting positive role or attitude, we can change our social behaviors in the

society and promote a healthy atmosphere among the family members. Our negative behavior

within the family creates many issues i.e. immoral values, anger, dishonesty, irritability,

disloyalty and it is harmful for the society. Through this session, the participants learnt how to

achieve their life goals with the support of their family members and through their institutional

behavior.

2.6Session on Sexual Reproductive & General Health Issues

The second session was conducted by Ms.

Nazia who shared the various kinds of

women’s health issues. Our young girls and

married women are often deprived of their

basic rights such like education and health

facilities due to the poverty. The women who

are living in the rural areas, working on the

brick kilns and living below the poverty lines do

not how to maintain their personal health and

hygiene. Our family or society does not allow

discussing sexual reproductive health issues.

The facilitator highlighted the women’s health

issues of puberty, women reproductive health system cancer, Menopause, Infertility, family

planning, Chlamydia and general health issues in Pakistan and medical treatment regarding the

diseases through multimedia presentation. The participants were actively involved in all the

activities and shared their views and gave positive feedback. They appreciated the guidelines

and methods of the facilitators and also appreciated CLAAS and its efforts for the community by

arranging these awareness sessions.

2.7Awareness Sessions for Survivors on Trauma Healing

December 13, 2018; Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) conducted a

session on trauma healing with professional psychiatrist Dr. Faiza Safdar for victims of

domestic violence, abduction, forced conversion and forced marriages. 16-20 women

survivours participated in this session. The facilitator Dr. Faiza Safdar, briefly discussed various

ways to overcome stress and tension especially who are the victims of domestic violence,

human trafficking, physical and sexual abuse, kidnapping, gang rape, acid throwing and burn.

She described about types of traumatic stress i.e. serious accidents, community violence,

natural disasters (earthquakes, wildfires, floods), sudden or violent loss of a loved one, physical



or sexual assault (e.g., being shot or raped) and common traumatic stress reactions. Karo Kari

(Honor killing), Vani (trade of Young girl), and discriminatory laws such as Hudood Law, Sexual

Abuse or Assaulted (Harassment) etc and any

type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs

without the explicit consent of the recipient were

also under discussion. The resource person

also disclosed some problems for identification

of trauma. It was also discussed that anxiety

due to trauma can manifest in problems such

as night terrors, edginess, irritability, poor

concentration and mood swing,She taught

participants some ways to overcome negative

like to‘think positive, feel positive etc. Deep breathing is also one of method for trauma healing.

Distraction and grounding techniques etc for healing process were also briefly discussed.

Through different activities and exercises of trauma healing, participants released their stress

during the session and promised they will continue these exercises at home. They gave a

positive feedback and shared that they have learnt how to overcome on their grief. They

appreciated CLAAS efforts for this energetic activity and each individual shared their personal

experiences.

2.8 Capacity Building Trainings for CLAAS Staff

Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) organized 04 capacity building

workshops specifically for its staff with the collaboration of Netherlands Embassy Pakistan.

Through these training workshops, CLAAS aimed to enhance its staff skills and knowledge for

their professional development.

Sr.# Date Area Name of Activity

Objective Number of participatns

1 August 7, 2018

CLAAS Office

Psycho- social counseling

To review the general staff performance, provide an opportunity to resolve concerns and to give participants the chance to establish aims and objectives for long term positive outcomes

23

2 October 10, 2018

CLAAS Office

Penal Discussion on Legal Reforms

Consultation about the Laws highlighting the loop holes in laws and policies that need to be reviewed

3 October 25, 2018

CLAAS Office

Consultation on legal procedure

To share knowledge about legal procedures.

4 December 20, 2019

CLAAS Office

Conflict resolution

To share knowledge and coping mechanisms for conflict resolution



a) Staff Capacity Buildingon Psycho- Social Counseling (August 07,

2018)

Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and

Settlement (CLAAS) organized a one day

capacity building workshop for its staff in

collaboration with The Embassy of the

Kingdom on Psycho- social counseling.

The purpose of this workshop was to

enhance their capacity and to maintain

their mental health and psychosocial

behavior at the workplace and among the

community as human rights defenders. Dr.

Faiza was facilitator of this workshop who

thoroughly discussed about counseling and trauma therapy for healing processes. She shared

that counseling is a skill that works to sustain emotional acceptance and development of

personal resources. The counselor’s role is very important to facilitate the client's capacity for

self- determination, values and personal

resources. She also discussed the ways to

strengthen team relationships, trust on

teammates, recognize and respect the

efforts and ideas of others to be able to

offer and accept constructive criticism. She

explained about assertiveness skills in the

workplace by recognizing values, rights,

boundaries, Interpersonal skills, managing

relationships, understanding the feelings of

others, cooperating with others, great

attitude, showing respect, appropriate

contact and active listening. She further

described that our respond to a victim/survivor can positively impact their healing process. In

studies of sexual assault survivors, receiving social support has been associated with many

positive outcomes, including positive life change and growth as well as reduced PTSD and

depressive symptoms

She involved staff members in various activities and described different methods to strengthen

their effective participation in public affairs and how they can empower themselves and work

more efficiently at the workplace and among the community. To ascertain the social change at

workplace, it is necessary that each staff member should maintain its self-confidence. The staff

learnt to overcome their mental problems, trauma, anger, violence and psychosocial issues etc.



b) Penal Discussion on Legal Procedures (October 10, 2018)

CLAAS organized a penal discussion on legal procedure specifically in civil

and criminal justice system

The main objective/s of this session was to:

-Staff induction and orientation on legal procedures

-Learning & capacity building of the Para-legal field staff

-To facilitate to provide better services to the survivors’ (clients)

-To have better information and clear decision making amongst all the staff

-Trust and confidence building between client (survivor) and service provider person

-Having all tools and information on hand

-To provide justice to the clients

-Sincere efforts

The topics under discussion were:

1. Documentation of facts in:

(Blasphemy cases/sexual assault cases/conversion cases and domestic violence cases)

2. Contact with appropriate authorities (Police/Courts)

3. Collection of legal and relevant documents

4. Filing and maintenances of case file

5. Dissemination of relevant information

A one day panel discussion around legal

procedures in criminal and criminal cases

was contemplated by Ms. Eiga Francis, to

capacitate the legal, para-legal and field staff

of CLAAS as efficient, skilled and

knowledgeable staffers to provide better

services to the survivors (clients etc.)

To start with, Ms.Eiga started the discussion

and clarified the objectives of this activity and

briefed the agenda.

The following topics were discussed one by one as:

1) Documentation of facts in(Blasphemy cases/sexual assault cases/conversion cases

and domestic violence cases)



Categories of Cases:

-Blasphemy

-Sectarian hatred, religious sentiments involved

-Sexual assault & sexual harassment

-Domestic Violence Cases

- Forced Conversion, abduction Cases/ Forced Marriages/

How to Appraise Fact Finding?

-To assess the clear causes and reasons of the facts/case

-To detect rumours from the facts and clearly defend the client

-To assess the realities and authenticity of the facts so that someone is not victimised

-To go for clear legal proceedings

-Fact finding is not an investigation, rather it is a clear demarcation between investigation and

facilitating the client to the utmost of their satisfaction and don’t be judgmental and subjective

-Go step by step, don’t go into hassle and knowing the severity of the facts

Steps in Fact Findings:

-Team formation

-Listen everything first from the survivor/ victim and then put your own questions

-Facts inclusion

-To have client statement on white paper and verify the same through signature or thumb

impression (Biyan-e-Halfi)

-If FIR has already been registered, go into clarity of FIR and identify the clear sections

introduced in the FIR, otherwise, any aggrieved person can also lodge FIR instead the victim

-In case of Blasphemy cases, the following relevant penal code sections as 295 A, 295-B, 295-

C must be looked into the FIR to be included or not

-In case of sexual assault/ violence/injuries, go for medico-legal examination OR DNA, if not

already conducted by the client, advise them don’t go for washing their clothes etc.

-164 is a kind of court trial, not only your own statement

-Supplementary statement can be over ruled or changed

2.) Contact with appropriate authorities (Police/Courts)

-Statement under section 161 Cr.P.C is recorded by Police Officer, whereas statement u/s 164

Cr.P.C is recorded by Magistrate



-Statement u/s 161 is not recorded on oath and

a creator cannot be cross examined and it is

not reliable evidence. On the other hand,

statement u/s 164 C.P.C is recorded on oath

and a person can be cross examined

-Section 162 Cr.P.C specifically provides that

statement u/s. 161 Cr.P.C shall not be signed

by the person making it. Statement u/s 164,

however, is signed by the maker.

-Statement u/s 161 cannot be used in

evidence, but by virtue of section 244-A, statement u/s. 164 is admissible in evidence.

-In case of forced conversion case, the statement of victim is recorded in presence of only

magistrate/judge and victim in isolation, no other person present there.

-If required, counselling and mental therapy is provided to the client

- Contact with appropriate authorities while in contact with lawyers, police, magistrate, courts

etc.

3. Collection of legal and relevant documents

-Fact finding report

-Client statement

-Collection of relevant evidence documents to support like birth certificate, marriage certificate,

Ids, two pictures, contact numbers, Performa, petitions, any notices etc.

4. Filing and maintenance of case files

-Fact finding report to be filed

-Maintain two files

5. Dissemination of relevant information

Relevant information is confidential, a kind of code of conduct, it’s to be trust worthy, not to

disclose to anyone apart from any relevant person, confidentiality is very important. Don’t share

any information through any mode telephonic, letters etc.



Results:

- Coordination developed

- Core issues identified and discussed

- Got learning from previous work/implementations

- An informative and healthy learning forum

Impact:

"Capacity Building is an important component of CLAAS activities. We believe that the credibility

of any organization is based upon its efficient and skilled staff.

Way Forward/Action Point:

-Next capacity building trainings to be conducted on:

-Family laws capacity building

-Divorce Act

-Domestic Violence Act

-Mr.Joseph Francis National Director CLAAS recommended that churches to preach not to go

for Divorce etc.

-Ms.Eiga Program Officer said that here there is no social respect and rehabilitation centres for

victims of violence etc.

-RubinaGhazal CLAAS staff member suggested that before marriage, counselling should be

convened.

c) Consultation on Legal Procedures (October 25, 2018)

CLAAS organized a consultation on legal

procedure at CLAAS office for the capacity

building of staff. The discussion included Legal

procedure of the court about the Christian Laws

i.e. Christian Marriage Act, Divorce Act and

Inheritance Law and other discriminatory laws.

Guiding Principles for Institutional Decision

Making and Organizational Structure to empower

employees to improve their performance and

support the goals of the organization was also the

part of this consultation. The training was

attended by all CLAAS staff members including lawyers.

d) Session on Conflict Resolution ( December 20th

, 2018)

CLAAS conducted a one day session for its staff capacity building on conflict resolution.

The purpose of this session was to enhance their capacity, to empower and strengthen



them in public affairs while dealing with victims, community members and with each other

at workplace, so that they can work more efficiently at their workplace and among the

community as human rights defenders.

Mr. Nadeem Fazil, a renowned human rights activist and lawyer was the resource person of this

session.

Definition of Conflict Resolution:

Mr. Fazil thoroughly described definition of

conflict which is a normal part of any healthy

relationship. Two people can’t be expected to

agree on everything, all the time. The key is not

to avoid conflict but to learn how to resolve it in

a healthy way. When conflict is mismanaged, it

can cause great harm to a relationship, but

when handled in a respectful, positive way,

conflict provides an opportunity to strengthen

the bond between two people. To avoid the

cause of disagreements and disputes and by

learning these skills for conflict resolution, we

can keep our personal and professional relationships strong and growing. Mr. Ayaz briefed the

various modes of conflict resolution, stress, and emotions. He said that conflict triggers strong

emotions and can lead to hurt feelings, disappointment, and discomfort. When handled in an

unhealthy manner, it can cause irreparable rifts, resentments, and break-ups. But when conflict

is resolved in a healthy way, it increases our understanding of the other person, builds trust, and

strengthens our relationships.

Types of Conflict Resolution:

He further shared the types of conflicts and the methods to resolve it. He stated that the ability

to successfully resolve conflict depends on how we manage stress quickly while remaining alert

and calm, we can accurately read and interpret verbal and nonverbal communication. We can

communicate without threatening, intimidating, or punishing others. We pay attention to the

feelings being expressed as well as the spoken words of others. By avoiding disrespectful

words and actions, we can almost always resolve a problem faster.

Result:

Through this session, CLAAS staff learnt the basic stages of conflicts, indicators and types etc.

For better understanding, it was discussed that what is conflict resolution and its impacts; skills

needed for resolving conflicts, steps should follow to resolving it and how to overcome any

conflicts. Furthermore, through this valuable session, staff leant how they resolve their own

conflicts, issues and promote peace at workplace. All staff member gave a positive response to

this capacity enhancement of CLAAS.



Chapter 3:

Advocacy, Lobbying & Networking



a) Advocacy and Lobbying

January 06, 2018;CLAAS National Director Mr. M.A. Joseph Francis MBE along with CLAAS

team attended the Consultation on 'Human Rights in the Era of Enforced Disappearances'

organized by Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) for the urgent release of Raza

Mehmood Khan, an activist who was abducted in Baluchistan on December 02, 2017 by some

unknown persons.

January 25, 2018;Mr. M.A. Joseph Francis,

Chairman Pakistan Christian National Party and

National Director CLAAS along with Mr. Martin

Javed Michael, Senior Vice Chairman Pakistan,

Christian National Party and Mr. Iqbal Khokher,

Secretary Information, Pakistan Christian

National Party and party workers addressed to

the media in a press conference at Lahore

Press Club regarding prisoners of Youhanabad

church blast in 2015 and specifying the

mistreated status of innocent Christians in jails

without having any allegations and how their

families are spending their lives without having any livelihood without head of the family being

penalized in jail since long.

February 07, 2018; Mr. Joseph Francis National Director CLAAS and Ms. Eiga Kenny, Program

Officer CLAAS attended a meeting with U.S State Department of Religious Freedom in Wasting

DC United State of America. Mr. Francis gave a briefing on Aasia Bibi case and other

blasphemy cases.

February 28, 2018; Mr. Joseph Francis,

National Director CLAAS, attended the annual

consular reception in British High Commission

Islamabad. He elaborated the present status of

human rights in Pakistan and how CLAAS

handle these kinds of situations and provide

legal and other related services to the survivors.

The main participants of this consultation were

Mr. Thomas Drew, British Ambassador,

partners and friends. Mr. Thomas appreciated

and acknowledged the services of CLAAS as a

partner from the last 26 years.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10208630413997325&set=pcb.10208630422037526&type=3




March 01, 2018; Mr. Joseph Francis along with his team attended a consultative meeting

organized by local Clergy of all the Churches in Pakistan, Civil Society Organizations, Lawyers,

Students and Concerned Citizens of Pakistan regarding the issue of Patras Masih blasphemy

case and Sajid Masih tortured case.

September 28, 2018: a consultative meeting

regarding “Constrained Status of Minorities in

Pakistan” was organized by National

Commission on Justice and Peace (NCJP)

under the mentorship of UK delegation led by

Lord David Alton (Member House of Lords UK),

MP Jim Shannon (Member House of Common

UK), MP Marie Rimmer (Member House of

Commons) UK and Councilor Morris Johns,

(APPG for Pakistan Minorities). The main

attendees were Mr. Joseph Francis (CLAAS),

Mr. Peter Jacob, Mr. Irfan Mufti and other

concerned representatives from Civil Society. The delegation was on a fact finding mission

concerning freedom of religion and belief in Pakistan.

October 17th, 2018; Mr. Joseph Francis,

National Director CLAAS coordinated a

meeting with Swiss ambassador organized by

HRCP to discuss the human rights situation in

Pakistan.

November 21, 2018; Ms. Eiga Kenny,

Program Officer CLAAS was one of the key

speaker in a roundtable conference on

“Human Rights and Freedom of Religion in

Pakistan” held in European Parliament -

Brussels, Belgium organized by UNHCR and

was presided by MEP Julia Ward.



November 08, 2018; Mr. Joseph Francis MBE National Director CLAAS met with Political and

Economic Officer Mr. Theodore A. Meinhover in American Consulate Lahore. The meeting was

based on the current issues regarding the minorities i.e. forced conversion, census, political role

in Pakistan, jobs opportunities (5% quota), and other discriminatory laws regarding the

minorities. Mr. Theodore showed concern regarding the current situation of minorities in

Pakistan and appreciated the services of CLAAS towards the community since last 25 years.

November 23, 2018; Mr. Joseph Francis MBE,

National Director CLAAS met with Ms. Krin

Kimsey, Political Officer, The Embassy of

United States of America (USA) and one other

Respectable Ambassador from the European

countries in Islamabad. Mr. Joseph updated

the situation of human rights in Pakistan

specifically minorities and their related issues

like blasphemy cases, Youhanabad incident

and forced conversion cases which are under

proceeding in the courts.

November 26 to 30th 2018; Ms. Eiga Kenny,

Program Officer CLAAS attended a 5 day

partners’ conference in Nepal. The conference

was hosted by United Mission of Nepal and

was attended by 65 partners from Afghanistan,

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Norway,

Sweden, USA and UK. It was a great

experience not only to make new friends but to

learn from each other.

December 13, 2018; Mr. Joseph Francis MBE,

National Director CLAAS & Chairman Pakistan

Christian National Party, hold/chaired a press

conference in National Press Club Islamabad

to raise the voice about granting permission to

visit Israel for Pakistani Christians. In his

statement, he said “we respect and support the

country's constitution and laws but there are

number of Christian’s holy places situated in

Israel, which Christian must visit as per their



minority rights. Although Pakistan and Israel share conflicts on religious, political and

constitutional aspects, we strongly advocate that Christians should be allowed to visit their holy

places of Israel. He further added as our beloved Muslim brothers and sisters visit Saudia

Arabia to perform Haj and Umrah, Shia's go to Iran and Iraq for the Ziarat of their holy places,

similarly Hindu community can go to India to visit their holy places and the Vahga, Nunkana

Shahib and Kartarpur Borders Religiously facilitate our Sikh community. Mr. Iqbal Khokher from

media cell and CLAAS staff also joined the press conference.

b) Networking

February 08, 2018: Mr. Joseph Francis attended National Prayer Breakfast at United State of

America.

February 21, 2018: Her Excellency Deputy

Ambassador Ms. Josephine Frantzen and The

Honorable Mr. Martijn Beerthuizen First Secretary

Political Affairs from The Embassy of the Kingdom

of the Netherlands visited CLAAS office in Lahore.

The main objective of their visit was to discuss the

present status of minorities in Pakistan and how

CLAAS proceeds with these issues. The main

issues to be faced by minorities in Pakistan are

Forced Conversions, Abductions, Attacks on

Churches, Blasphemy, and Youhanabad Case etc.

February 22, 2018; Mr. Joseph Francis, National

Director CLAAS attended the "National President’s

Day of United States of America” in American

Embassy Islamabad.

March 05, 2018; CLAAS team attended a

conference on Forced Marriages hosted by

European Union at European Commission in

Islamabad. It was joined by more than 21

representatives from various diplomatic missions in

Islamabad to discuss and formulate a collective

strategic plan to address the issue of forced

marriages of dual nationals.



March 12, 2018; Honoring the legacy of Asma

Jahangir, a braver and legend women activist in

Pakistan, CLAAS held the first death ceremony of

"Asma Jahangir Awards". The awards were

presented to Ms. Farida Shaheed - Director

Shirkat Gah, for Women Rights, Mr. Peter Jacob -

Executive Director Centre for Social Justice and

Minority Rights and Mr. Aitzaz Ahsan -

Advocate/Senator. The main speakers on this

occasion were Mr. Hussain Naqi, Ms. Saleema

Hashmi, Ms. Tanveer Jahan, Ms. Bushra Khaliq,

Mr. Anwar-ul-Haq Panoo-President High Court Bar, Mr. Azam Nazeer Tarar Advocate, and Mr.

Mohammad Tehseen-Director SAP. People from different walks of life including human rights

activists, lawyers and civil society members participated in the event. Everyone appreciated

CLAAS' initiative to pay a tribute to Asma Jahangir by holding an award ceremony.

April 07, 2018; Mr. Joseph Francis, MBE National Director

CLAAS and Council Member, Human Rights Commission of

Pakistan (HRCP) shared the views about the life of most

respected social activist Ms. Asma Jahangir on "Asma

Jahangir Convention" at Alhamra Art Center Lahore organized

by Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and

acknowledged her life long struggle for the humanity.

April 12, 2018; Mr. M.A. Joseph Francis MBE,

National Director CLAAS attended a briefing

Session of RTI (Transparency and Right to

Information Act 2013) organized by the Punjab

Information Commission (PIC) in collaboration with

PILDAT supported by USAID small Grants

Ambassadors Fund Program at Avari Hotle

Lahore.



April 26 2018; Mr. Joseph Francis, National Director CLAAS,

and Ms. Eiga Kenny, Program Officer CLAAS attended the 92nd

birthday celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at PC

Hotel Lahore hosted by British High Commission.

May 05, 2018 to May 10, 2018;Ms. Eiga Kenny

and Ms. Jameela Nazar attended five days

security training workshop and one day

Convention for Women Human Rights Defenders

(WHRDs) organized by Democratic Commission

for Human Development (DCHD) at Maisonette

Hotel Lahore The purpose of this workshop was to

strengthen the capacity of 50 WHRDs from Punjab

in holistic security and self – care. The participants

learnt the skills of monitoring & fact finding, risk

mitigation, security planning, digital security and

dealing with security incidence during the five

days of this workshop.

May 26, 2018; CLAAS team participated in a

consultative meeting arranged by "Centre for

Social Justice" a national NGO, at Renewal Centre

Youhanabad, Lahore. The main purpose of this

meeting was to raise awareness regarding “Legal

Rights of Minorities in Pakistan & General

elections 2018 and protection of minority rights".

Unfortunately, the legal status of minorities in

Pakistan is not appreciable and confers as most

neglected segment of society, having less political

rights. Centre for Social Justice, CLAAS and other

minorities organizations have been striving hard since long for having equal citizenship rights for

minorities in Pakistan and elimination of discrimination against religious minorities.



August 11, 2018; The National Diversity Day/

Minorities Day was commemorated by Human

Friends Organization (HFO) at Ambassador

Hotel Lahore. Netherlands Deputy Ambassador,

Ms. Josephine Frantazine was the Chief Guest

and Archbishop Sebastian F. Shaw, presided

over the event. The distinguished speakers were

Mr. Sajid Christopher, Mr. Joseph Francis MBE,

Mr. Naveed Amir Jeewa MNA, Professor Kalyan

Singh, Pandit Bhagat Raam, Mufti Abd Ul

Rehman and Professor Anjum Paul. A charter of

demand was presented by Mr. Sajid Christopher

to promote and protect rights of minorities in Pakistan and having equal rights for all citizens of

Pakistan.

October 03, 2018; Mr. Joseph Francis MBE

National Director, CLAAS attended “Day of

German Unity" at German Embassy Islamabad.

October 10th 2018; Mr. Joseph Francis,

National Director CLAAS attended the "16th

World Day Against Death Penalty" chaired by

Mr. I. A. Rehman (Former-Secretary General

HRCP) at Human Rights Commission of

Pakistan.



November 16, 2018; Mr. Joseph Francis

presided over a seminar as guest speaker to

commemorate International Day of Tolerance

organized by Aman Pukar Foundation on the

topic “Shrinking Space for Minorities”.

January 26, 2018; An Honorary Shield was awarded to Mr. M.A.

Joseph Francis, Chairman Pakistan Christian National Party (PCNP)

by Christian Youth of Pakistan (CYP) Faisalabad in appreciation of his

services rendered for human rights both at national and international

levels.

March 23, 2018; Mr. M.A. Joseph Francis

National Director CLAAS & Chairman Pakistan

Christian National Party flagged a ceremony on

Pakistan National Dayat party secretariat Lahore.

August 14, 2018: National Flag Rising Ceremony was

celebrated in connection with 71th Independence Day of

Pakistan at Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement

(CLAAS) Lahore. Mr. Joseph Francis, National Director CLAAS

along with CLAAS staff, Pakistan Christian National Party

(PCNP) members and local pastorsplaced Pakistani flag and

prayed for stability of Pakistan.






October 22nd 2018; CLAAS staff paid tribute to

the great Christian hero Dewan Bahadur S.P

Singh on his 69th death anniversary under

leadership of Mr. Joseph Francis at Christian

graveyard Jail Road Lahore.

November 07, 2018; CLAAS delegation

headed by Mr. M. A. Joseph Francis MBE,

National Director, CLAAS legal advisers and

staff members met with Honorable Chief Justice

of Lahore High Court Lahore Mr. Justice

Muhammad Anwar Ul Haq Lahore in High

Court Lahore and congratulated him for his

appointment.

December 09, 2018; Mr. Joseph Francis was

one of the key speakers in a seminar held in

human rights commission of Pakistan.



Chapter 4

Survivors’ Rehabilitaiton



4.1 Shelter Support

CLAAS is the only private shelter called “Apna Ghar” for supporting minorities’ women and Safe

House for the families provides free legal aid and shelter support to survivors of sexual abuse,

forced conversion, forced marriages, abduction and domestic violence. Women are admitted at

their own free will and leave when it is safe for them go back to their homes and families. Legal

aid, physical facilities and food is provided to each individuals residing in Apna Ghar. Any

survivor who wishes to continue their studies in school or college, CLAAS makes arrangement

for their admission while observing all security measures in regular schools and colleges.

In 2018 CLAAS provided safe accomodation to 86 individuals in both shelter homes including

44 women accompanying their 17 children accommodated in APNA GHAR and 25 individuals

were provided safe accommodation including 10 adults and 15 children in SAFE HOUSE.

The number of residents who were provided services as: Free legal aid provided to14 women in their cases 12 young girls got skills training 07 children got formal education during their stay at Apna Ghar Counseling & Trauma healing Social Integration Awareness Sessions & Capacity building Medical Assistance Financial Support

List of Survivors from January to December 2018

Sr. No Name of Survivor Age Nature of case Nature of Support

1. Anita Iram d/o

Sadique

22 Murder case

against her

brothers

1- Shelter

2- Formal Education

3- Free Legal Aid to her

brothers

4-Counseling Sessions

5- Skills training

2. Komal d/o Samuel 22 Poverty &

Unemployment

1- Shelter

2-Skills Training

3- Financial Support


3. Annie d/o Younis 24 Abduction,

Forced Marriage

& Domestic

Violence

1- Shelter

2-Free Legal Aid

3-Skills Training of

Beautician to Annie

4-Formal Education to her

two sons

4. Alyia (Annie’s son ) 09

5. Alyan(Annie’s son ) 08



5-Counseling Sessions for

Annie

6. Iqbal Khursheed 55 Property dispute

with her

husband

1-Shelter



7. Tabita d/o Bashir 29 Domestic

Violence

1- Shelter

2- Free legal Aid

3-Medical Treatment to her

daughter



8. Santhia 13

9. Adleen 11

10. Mehak 09

11. Anam 06

12. Amain 05

13. Nasreen d/o Bashir

Masih

35 Freewill

marriage

1- Shelter Support

2- Legal Aid

14. Shamim w/o Ameen 46 Domestic

Violence

1- Shelter


3- Counseling Sessions for

Shumaila who is a victim of

domestic violence.

15. Marriam d/o Ameen 21

16. Shumaila d/o Ameen 29

17. Arham (Shumaila’s

son)

05

18. Samra d/o Yosaf

20 Freewill

Marriage

1- Shelter

2-Medical Treatment

3- Free Legal Aid

4- Counseling Sessions

19. Farah Naz (Samra’s

mother stayed with

her)

40

20. Kinza d/o Javed

18 Forced

Conversion

1- Shelter

2-Free Legal Aid

3-Counseling Sessions 21. Mumtaz w/o Javed

(Kinza’s mother)

45

22. Easter Malika d/o

John Bhatti

29 Family Matter 1- Shelter


23. Abijeel d/o Nawaz

Rasheed

17 Wanted to

marriage with a

Muslim

1- Shelter


24. Anish d/o Maqbool 16 Skills training of

beautician &

stitching

1- Shelter

2- Skills Training

25. Syliva d/o Boota 17 Skill training of

beautician &

stitching

1- Shelter

2- Skills Training

26. Razia w/o Rashid 22 Skills training of

beautician &

stitching

1- Shelter

2- Skills Training

27. Samra d/o Arif Bhatti 18 Skills training of 1- Shelter



beautician &

stitching

2- Skills Training

28. Suman d/o Naeem 16 Skills training of

beautician &

stitching

1- Shelter

2- Skills Training

3- Education

29. Riba d/o Naeem 20 Skills training of

beautician &

stitching

1- Shelter

2- Skills Training

30. Marriam d/o Naeem 15 Skilsl training of

beautician &

stitching

1- Shelter

2- Skills Training

3- Education

31. Maria d/o Sultan 17 Skills training of

beautician &

stitching

1- Shelter

2- Skills Training

32. Christina d/o Asif 16 Skills training of

beautician &

stitching

1- Shelter

2- Skills Training

33. Rizwana d/o Allah

Ditta

26 Domestic

Violence

1- Shelter


34. Rizwana’s daughter 01 years

35. Warsha d/o Sohail 24 Freewill

Marriage

1- Shelter

2- Legal Aid

3- Counseling Sessions 36. Nawab (Warsha’s

son)

07

months

37. Aysha (Warsha’s

sister)

20

38. Sana d/o Pervaiz 17 Forced

Conversion and

Forced Marriage

1- Shelter

2- Awareness Sessions

3- Counseling Session

39. Saira d/o Pervaiz 15 Forced Marriage 1- Shelter

40. Alisha d/o Tariq 16 Poverty 1- Shelter

2- Education

41. Naila d/o Sardar

31 Freewill

Marriage &victim

of domestic

violence

1-Shelte


3-Financial support for

medical treatment

42. Naila’s son One

month

43. Saba d/o Aslam 24 Gang Rape 1- Shelter

2- Free Legal Aid

3- Counseling sessions

44. Elisha d/o Asghar

Masih

18 Forced

Conversion

1-Shelter

2-Free Legal Aid

3- Counseling Sessions 45. Alice Bibi (Elisha’s 50



mother )

46. Yasmeen d/o Khadim

Masih

25 Domestic

Violence

1- Shelter

2-Free Legal Aid

47. Farzana w/o Shoukat 32 Domestic

violence

1- Shelter

2-Free Legal Aid

3- Counseling sessions

4- Education

5- Skill training

48. Muqdas d/o Shoukat 14 Rape

49. Sana d/o Shoukat 13 Sexually Abuse

50. Pram s/o Shoukat 12

51. Abid s/o Shoukat 10

52. Sania d/o Shoukat 10

53. Aliza d/o Shoukat 04

54. Shabnam w/o Arshad

Ali

38 Domestic

Violence

1- Shelter

2-Free Legal Aid

55. Maham d/o Shabnam 09

56. Naina d/o Ashraf 11 Abduction 1- Shelter

2-Free Legal Aid to Maria

(Naina’s sister who is

forcefully converted into

Islam

57. Tahira Bibi (Naina’s

mother)

38

58. Amber d/o Farman 18 Poverty 1- Shelter

59. Zarina Mukhtar 18 Poverty 1- Shelter

60. Fatima d/o Khaild

Javed

28 Freewill

Marriage

1- Shelter support

2- Legal Aid

61. Ghazal d/o Younis 30 Rape Case 1- Shelter

2- Legal Aid


62. Nasreen w/o Sajid

and her family

(06 members)

44 Family Issues 1- Shelter in Safe House

2- Job provided

63. Aynas Anwar

30 Threats Or

Family Issues

1- Shelter in Safe House

2- Job provided

64. Mrs. Tanveer

Maqbool

55 1- Shelter in Safe House

2-Medical Support

65. Sana Yaseen and

her family

(06 members)

30 Bounded laborer 1- Shelter in Safe House


66. Fozia w/o Asif and

her family

(04 members)

38 Converted

Family



3-Support for Education

67. Rubina w/o Amjad

and her family

(07 members)

32 Blasphemy

victim acquitted


2- Financial support



Activities for Survivors at Shelter Homes

Birthday Celebrations; CLAAS

celebrated birthdays of women survivors

and children who were residing at CLAAS

Rehabilitation Centre “Apna Ghar”. The

purpose of these celebrations was to feel

them special on their birthday as CLAAS

family. CLAAS aims to motivate them to

get out of their trauma. CLAAS also

arrange periodic recreational activities for

these survivors.

December 10, 2018; CLAAS organized

Christmas celebrations with the survivors

of CLAAS’ shelter home to share Jesus

love and blessings with them. The British

Counsel General and Mr. Albert David

MBE were the Chief Guests of this event.

Survivors presented a Christmas play and

had carol singing. Each individual actively

participated in all activities and

appreciated CLAAS efforts for their

survival. They enjoyed and felt happy

while decorating their own shelter home,

which made their lives more energetic.

Christmas cake and gifts were distributed among the survivors by the distinguished guests and

National Director Mr. Joseph Francis MBE. CLAAS staff members also joint the event.

December 14th 2018; CLAAS organized a

Christmas lunch for the victim families of

Youhanabad incident, widows, old and sick

people and other survivors who are getting

free legal aid from CLAAS. Mr. Ejaz A.

Augustine, Punjab’s Minister for Human

Rights and Minorities and Mr. Mahinder

Pall Singh were the Chief Guests of this

event. Christmas message was delivered

by Fr. Cecil Paul. CLAAS staff made this

event beautiful through carol singing.

Sunday school children presented



Christmas play regarding the Jesus Birth. Shelter survivors played singing tableau and delivered

the message of sharing with each other. Santa Claus distributed small gifts among the children.

Christmas gifts, cash amount to 16 survivors and grocery packets were also distributed among

40 survivors. Christmas cake cutting ceremony was also the part of this event. Distinguished

guest delivered Christmas message and CLAAS National Director addressed the survivors’

struggles and encouraged them for their dedication to stand unite with their families in their hard

time. All survivors paid thankful greetings to CLAAS and its efforts toward Christian community.

Few survivors shared their views regarding CLAAS support and encouraged CLAAS for

continuously supporting them.



December 15th 2018; Mr. Joseph Francis visited orphan age home at Youhanabad Lahore

where 30 children were staying in the

hostel and getting education. After that, on

December 19, 2018, CLAAS invited the

children of new life foundation (orphan

age) at CLAAS office for Christmas cake

cutting ceremony. CLAAS gave donation of

Rs. 100000/- only to In-charge Pastor

Orphan age for children for Christmas

season. Christmas gifts were also

distributed among the 25 children. CLAAS

adopted three children and will support

them for their better future. We felt the real

joy and happiness while spending some time with these children. Our prayers are always with

them and their supporters.

Few Cases Studies of the Victims Who Were Accommodated in Shelter Home



Iqbal Khursheed (62) d/o Khursheed Masih Khokhar,

resident of Islam Colony, Gujranwala belongs to a Christian

family. She was a staff nurse by profession and earned on

her own the whole life and built her house with her own

income. Her husband Waris Masih married second time

with a divorcee woman without consent of Iqbal. He left

Iqbal and strated living with his second wife and her three

sons. He also tried to occupy her house. In this dispute,

Iqbal’s son Haroon was ignored by his father Waris for

which Haroon kept grudge in his heart against his father.

On July 02, 2016, Haroon took his three step brothers for

outing and murdered them. Iqbal, Haroon and her brothers

were arrested and were kept in police lockup, while her

husband sold out her house in her absence. She was released after three months. She filed a

property case against her husband. As Iqbal had no place to live and protection, she

approached CLAAS for shelter and legal help on September 2017. CLAAS accommodated her

in Apna Ghar and also provided her legal aid in her property matter. She is still staying in Apna

Ghar.

Tabita (34) d/o Bashir Masih is the resident of Lahore and belongs to a Christian family. She got

married to Shahzad Ijaz with her free will on September 04, 2017 under Islamic rites. She has

five children. After sometimes, her husband married second time with her permission and the

second wife of her husband was also living with them in the same house. Shahzad used to beat

Tabita on small domestic issues. She left Shahzad house and approached CLAAS on October

16, 2017 along with her five children for shelter and legal help for filing a divorce case. She was

accommodated at Apna Ghar and also provided free legal assistance.

Nasreen Bibi (38) is a Christian by faith and resident of Johar Town Lahore. She got married to

Arif Keval in 1999. The first few months of her marriage were spent happy and peaceful but

gradually Nasreen realized that Arif was a very aggressive person who often used to beat her

on petty issues. One of Arif’s colleagues named Khawar Zaman, who was Muslim, used to visit

his house and Nasreen often shared her domestic issues with him. Khawar took advantage of

their personal conflicts and poisoned Nasreen against Arif. Eventually she left Arif and married

Khawar under Islamic rites in November 2016. Afterwards, even Khawar’s behavior was not

appropriate with Nasreen. Nasreen became fed up of the entire situation and approached

CLAAS on August 10, 2017, to seek shelter and legal help. CLAAS accommodated Nasreen at

Apna Ghar and filed a suit for dissolution of marriage from Khawar Zaman and she got divorced

from him.

Alisha (13)belongs to a poor family. Her father was arrested in Youhanabad vandalism case

and was released on bail but still facing trial in the court. Her father is a rickshaw driver by

profession and his income is not enough for the whole family. Her mother is a factory laborer



who earns meager money for managing her house hold expenditures. CLAAS supported Alisha

for her education and accommodated her in “Apna Ghar”, but due to her aliment, she went back

to her home after two weeks of her stay.

Nawab Bibi (50) w/o Zafar Bhatti was living in

Islamabad in a rented house. Her husband Zafar Bhatti

had been confined in the jail under the charges of 295-

C of the Pakistan Penal Code and CLAAS was

providing him free legal assistance. Nawab Bibi was not

able to earn for herself due to her old age and was even

not able to manage her house rent. CLAAS supported

her financially on monthly basis. CLAAS is also helping

Nawab Bibi by providing monthly food package given by

Barnabas Fund UK. Whenever Nawab Bibi visits

CLAAS from Islamabad regarding financial support and

having update of her husband’s case, CLAAS

accommodate her in “Apna Ghar” as she has no other

shelter at Lahore.

Shumaila (29),a Christian by faith is the resident of Sahiwal approached CLAAS on February

12, 2018 along with her son Arham to seek legal aid and shelter support. She got married with

Naseer Nathanel in 2012. After marriage,

Shumaila came to know that her husband was

a drug addict and an alcoholic and used to

spend all his income on addiction. Shumaila,

however, compromised with the situation and

hoped that Naseer would mend his ways but

in vain. Now she wanted to get divorce from

Naseer. CLAAS accommodated her at

Rehabilitation Centre “Apna Ghar” and

provided her counseling services also. Her

mother Shamim (46) and sister Marriam (21)

were also accommodated with her for few

days. After few days of having counseling sessions, Shumaila decided to go back at her

husband’s house and on March 05, 2018, she left Apna Ghar.

Sana (17) d/o Pervaiz is a victim of forced conversion and forced marriage. She belongs to a

poor Christian family. She has two siblings and her father is a drug addict who did not care of

his family matters. Her mother is a brick kiln laborer and they are living in the rural area of

Lahore. Sana used to sexually abuse by her real brother at her own home, but her mother did

not support her. Seeing all this, Sana left her home in 2016 while she was only 15 years old.

She had no idea where to go. When she was on her way, a Muslim man of the area took her at



home for shelter. After knowing her situation, he forcefully married her and also converted her

into Islam. A Muslim teacher was hired for her religious education but she was not interested.

Somehow she escaped away from there and reached at her aunt’s house at Lahore. Her aunt

sent her in a shelter home where she got primary education but after two years, she left

thatshelter home also due to some personal reasons. In May 2018, her aunt took her at CLAAS

shelter home. She was accommodated in “Apna Ghar” and was also provided counseling to get

her out of trauma. Her sister Saira was also accommodated with her for their better future but

both sisters left “Apna Ghar” on August 06, 2018.

Saira Pervaiz (13) (Sana’s sister) was also accommodated at

“Apna Ghar” and she left shelter home to attend her sister

Sana’s marriage. Two days before marriage, Sana (her sister)

escaped away from her home. Saira was forced to marry with

one whom Sana was engaged. Sana was not happy with this

marriage and again approached CLAAS for shelter. CLAAS

accommodated her in shelter home again and also conducted

counseling sessions with her family and convinced them to allow

Sana to get some skills training. CLAAS also guided Saira’s

family that a case could be registered against the family member

under Pakistani law Child Marriages Restraint Act, if they will

force Saira to marry without her consent. ASana’s family left her

at CLAAS shelter home and CLAAS arranged a hostel for her where she is studying now.

Naila (31) got married with one Samson.

Her mother had died and she was living

with her father in a rented house. Naila

married a one Samson, a rickshaw driver,

living in her neigbourhood, with her own

free consent. Naila spend ten years with

Samson and God gifted her two miners

namely Marcel eight years old and Noel

seven years old. There was a man namely

Babar 27, a Muslim, also a rickshaw

driver, used to visit Samson’s house. Naila

developed understanding with Babar and

one day she left Samson’s house and her

two minors. Babar took her to Karachi and got married as per Muslim Faith on 6th May 2017.

After two months, Samson handed over her two miners also to her but Babar was not willing to

accommodate her children. Naila also got to know that Babar was an addict and used to beat

her daily. She wanted to get divorce from Babar now. She approached CLAAS for shelter.

CLAAS accommodated her in “Apna Ghar”. After some days, Babar approached Naila and

asked her for compromise. CLAAS organized counseling sessions for both and consequently,



they compromised and started living happily. They thanked CLAAS for counseling and

supporting.

Yaseen (31) and his wife Sana (30) have four

children. About six years ago, Yaseen used to

work at one’s Bilal’s brick kiln as laborer. The

owner of the brick kiln did not pay their wages

regularly; therefore, they had to borrow money

from him to meet their daily needs. He also

used to deduct the lend amount from their

weekly wages but their balance amount kept

on increasing instead of decreasing. They

were also forced to perform extra work without

any wages, otherwise were forcibly detained

at the brick kiln for bonded laborer. Yaseen

decided to leave the brick kiln and requested his owner to clear his account. He beat him

severely and demanded Rs. 70000/- PKR against their release. Yaseen along with his family

escaped away and reached Lahore. In Lahore, they had no place to live and no food for their

children. They approached CLAAS on July 02, 2018 for shelter support. CLAAS supported them

financially and provided safe accommodation. Yaseen started working as sweeper but his

income was not sufficient for the whole families’ need, therefore, he requested CLAAS for

continued support for few months. CLAAS supported them with money and grocery for four

months and also arranged a rented house for them. Now they are living in Asif Town in rented

house and earn by self.

Fozia wife of Asif approached CLAAS for

safe accommodation and food as her

husband is working as watchman and earn

much less income to support his family.

CLAAS accommodated them for few days in

safe house and then arranged a rented house

for them and provided food to them. CLAAS

also gave opportunity to Asif to work at

CLAAS office as security guard.

Rubina Kasur (33) w/o Amjad Masih was a victim of blasphemy case. CLAAS supported her

legally and she was acquitted from all the blasphemy charges. Now they are living in Islamabad

and CLAAS is providing her grocery on monthly basis. They were also accommodated at Safe

House for attending Christmas lunch for survivors on December 14, 2018. The whole family

stayed there for few days and moved back to home.



4.2 Survivors Settlement

CLAAS provides financial support to the deserving survivors whatever is their status old,

widows, disable or have no proper means of income for their medical treatment in major

surgeries (injured in blasts or mob attacks). They are also accommodated in CLAAS’s shelter

home. In some cases, the victims who are confined in the jails and their families have no

livelihood means, were also financially supported by CLAAS on monthly basis. In 2018 CLAAS

financially supported to 20 families (69 individuals) on monthly basis.

CLAAS also supported survivours or dependents of Blasphemy charges who are detained in

jails for a longer period whether they live in CLAAS shelter home or live in their own homes.

CLAAS also bore educational expenses of 12 children in the year 2018.



Beneficiaries of 2018 received financial support on monthly basis

Sr. No Name of beneficiary Nature of case Nature of

support

Duration

1. Raquyia widow of

Munir (04 members)

Blasphemy

victim-

Acquitted

1- Startup beauty

salon

2- Grocery on

monthly basis

1- One time support

for salon equipment

2- Still receives

grocery on monthly

basis and financial

support whenever

needed

2. Sobia wife of Sawan

Masih (04 members)

Her husband

confined in the

jail in

blasphemy

case since

2013

1- Financial

support for her

children’s

education and for

jail visit to meet

her husband

Sawan

2- Grocery on

monthly basis

3- Legal Aid to

her husband

Sawan Masih

Since 2013,

financial support

and grocery on

monthly basis

3. Nawab Bibi w/o Zafar

Bhatti (02 members)

Her husband

Zafar Bhatti is

confined in the

jail in

blasphemy

case since

2012

1- Financial

support

2- Grocery on

monthly basis

3- Legal Aid to

her husband

Since 2013,

financial support

and grocery on

monthly basis

4. Qasir Ayub

(05 members)

Blasphemy

victim confined

in the jail

1- Financial

support to him in

the jail for his

personal needs

2- Legal aid to

him

One year

(12 months financial

support) and legal

aid since 2015



5. Nabeel Masih

(04 mmbers)

Blasphemy

victim confined

in the jail

1- Financial

support to his

family

2- Legal aid to

Nabeel

3- Grocery on

monthly basis

Financial support

and grocery on

monthly basis since

2017.

6. Fozia wife of Asif

(04 members)

Unemployed Financial support

for house rent

Three months

financial support

and grocery for her

family

7. Sana wife of Yaseen

(05 members)

Brick kiln

laborer

Financial support

for house rent

Four months

financial support

and grocery for her

family

8. Rafique Masih (01) Medical support

to his grand

daughter

Major surgery from

a private hospital

9. Tabita Bibi

(06 members)

Victim of

domestic

violence lived

in Apna Ghar

Financial support

for her children

One time financial

support and medical

treatment for her

daughter. Legal aid

to Tabita and

shelter support with

her five children

10. Naila Bibi

(02 members)

Victim of

domestic

violence lived

in Apna Ghar

Financial support

for her medical

treatment

Shelter support and

one time financial

support for her

medical treatment.

11. Arif Zia

(02 members)

Old man and

his son

confined in jail

in Youhanabad

lynching case

1- Financial

support

2- Legal aid to his

son

3- Grocery on

monthly basis

Financial support for

Arif’s medical

treatment as he is

heart patient and

grocery to him on

monthly basis.

12. Parveen Younis

(04 members)

Old lady and

unemployed

1- Financial

support

2- Grocery on

Since 2016 financial

support and grocery

on monthly basis as

she is old lady and



monthly basis has no income

resource for her and

her husband’s

needs

13. Sobia widow of

Emmanual

(06 members)

Widow 1- Financial

support

2- Grocery on

monthly basis


her children’s needs

and grocery on

monthly basis since

2017

14. Marriam Allah Ditta

(03 members)

Unemployed

and poor

1- Financial

support

2- Grocery on

monthly basis


her children’s needs

and grocery on

monthly basis since

2011

15. Suryia Bibi

(03 members)

Poor and her

son is confined

in jail in

Youhanabad

lynching case

1- Financial

support

2- Grocery on

monthly basis

3- Legal aid to her

son

Financial support

and grocery for six

months

16. Khalid Francis

(04 members)

His son is a

victim of

sodomy

1- Legal aid to his

son

2- Financial

support to him for

his family

Financial support

whenever they need

for traveling

expenditures of

court hearing,

medical and for

family needs

17. Rukhsana Rehmat

(04 members)

Poor lady 1- Financial

support

2- Grocery on

monthly basis


family need

occasionally

Grocery on monthly

basis

18. Shamshad Foundation Financial support on

monthy basis

19. Pastor Shamash Financial support on

monthly basis



20. Rakhal bibi

(04 members)

Widow 1- Financial

support

2- Grocery on

monthly basis


family need

occasionally

Grocery on monthly

basis

1-Munir Masih and his wife Ruqiya Bibi

werefalsely implicated in a blasphemy case in

2008. On 1st March 2010, Ruqiya Bibi and

Munir Masih were convicted and were

awarded 25 years of imprisonment. CLAAS

provided them legal assistance and they were

acquitted in May 2012 from all blasphemy

charges. They have six children and four are

married. Unfortunately, Munir Masih expired

in a road accident in March 2016 and Ruqiya

was going through financial crises. CLAAS

supported her financially and also gave a

stitching machine to her so that she would be able to earn her living. In 2018, Ruqiya started her

own beauty salon but it was yet not completely established, so she requested CLAAS to resettle

her salon. CLAAS supported her financially with Rs. 60,000/- only (Sixty Thousand PKR) to

setup her beauty salon. Further Since 2011, CLAAS has been helping her through feeding

project with the support of Barnabas Funds UK. But due to unfavorable circumstances she

cannot manage her salon and still she is receiving financial support from CLAAS office.

2-Sobia’s husband Sawan Masih was accused

by his Muslim friend Shahid Imran for making

derogatory remarks against the Holy Prophet.

A case was registered against Sawan for

Blasphemy under section 295-C of Pakistan

Penal Code. These accusations were made

public; and a large Muslim mob attacked

Sawan Masih’s residential area and burned

nearly 100 houses. Sawan was arrested and

sent to jail. CLAAS is pursuing his case. On

March 27th, 2014, Lower Court convicted

Sawan of death penalty. CLAAS immediately

filed an appeal in the Lahore High Court against this conviction, which is pending before the

court.

Since four years, Sawan is confined in Central Jail Faisalabad. His wife Sobia and three young

children are going through very tough time. Besides providing legal aid to Sawan Masih, CLAAS



is supporting his family with monthly grocery through Barnabas Fund UK. CLAAS is also

providing Rs. 10,000/- financial help PKR every month.

3- Arif Zia’s son, Sadaqat Zia Masih alias Papu

30 was arrested by the police on March 22, 2015

and was confined in Kot Lakhpat Jail Lahore in

lynching case of Youhanabad. CLAAS is

pursuing his case since March 2015. Arif Zia is

an old man and living in a rented house. He is a

heart patient. He was rickshaw driver but due to

his ailment, is not able to earn for himself.

CLAAS is supporting the family through feeding

project and also providing Rs. 3000/- financial

help PKR every month.

4-Marriam Allah Ditta (33) is a single woman

who lives in Gujranwala with her paralyzed sister

Martha aged 26 and a brother Walayat Masih

who is also ill. Her brother Salamat Masih was

convicted in a Blasphemy case with death

sentence in the year 1996. With the legal help of

CLAAS, he was released from the blasphemy

charges and settled in Germany. CLAAS helped

the family since 2011 through providing the food

package given by Barnabas Fund UK in their

miserable condition. CLAAS also providing Rs.

5000/- financial help PKR every month to her and she is very much thankful to CLAAS and its

efforts for the needy people.

5-Robina w/o Amjad Masih was living in

Gujranwala and was falsely implicated in a

blasphemy case in March 2010. She was

confined at district jail Gujranwala with her one

and half years old son. Through CLAAS legal

assistance, she was acquitted on August 11,

2010 from Lower Court Gujranwala. After

release, she was accommodated at CLAAS

Rehabilitation Centre “Apna Ghar” with her

children. Since 2011, CLAAS is helping the

family through providing food package given by Barnabas Fund UK. CLAAS is also providing

financial support to this family in their hard time. The whole family is very much thankful to

CLAAS and Barnabas Fund UK for their support and keeps them in their prayers.



List of Student in 2018

Sr. No Name of student Description

1. Anita Iram d/o Emmanuel College fee

2. Simal d/o Shoukat College fee

3. Pammar Yaqoob Bhatti College fee

4. Alyan s/o Shafaqt School fee

5. Alia s/o Shafaqat School fee

6. Summan d/o Naeem School fee

7. Marriam d/o Naeem School fee

8. Prim s/o Shoukat School fee

9. Sania d/o Shoukat School fee

10. Aliza d/o Shoukat School fee

11. Alisha d/o Fawad School fee

12. Aster d/o Fawad School fee



Chapter 5

Women/ Community Empowerment



5.1 CLAAS Stitching Training Centre

CLAAS has tried its level best to empower

women since its inception. For the same, they

are coordinated with livelihood opportunities,

skills trainings, access to education, technical

education and others. At present, CLAAS is

coordinating a free of cost stitching centre for

those who are in dire need of supporting their

families and become economically empower.

Find below the stories of change of some of the trainees at CLAAS stitching training centre, who

got admitted in those stitching centres and started to earn an handsome amount to support their

families:

Anish Maqbool (15) d/o Maqbool Bhatti is a resident of Asif Town, Lahore. Her father works as

a rickshaw driver while mother works in a garments factory. She has three siblings and she is

the youngest among them. She belongs to a poor family as her parents’ income is just barely

enough to bear the monthly household expenses, while her father also could not afford to

educate his children. Anish decided to acquire a professional training and approached CLAAS

on March 20, 2018 to get free stitching training in CLAAS Stitching Centre. CLAAS provided

free of cost training and accommodated her in shelter home for one month.

Sylvia Boota (17) d/o Boota Sajvara is a resident of Asif Town, Lahore. Her father is a day

laborer and mother works in a garments factory. She has 3 siblings and she is the youngest.

She passed 8th grade but stopped further studies due to financial crisis. She wanted to acquire

professional training and approached CLAAS on March 20, 2018 to get free stitching training in

CLAAS Stitching Centre. CLAAS provided her free of cost training opportunity and also

accommodated her in shelter home for one month.

Razia Rashid (22) w/o Rashid Masihi is the resident of Asif Town, Lahore. She lives in a joint

family system with her in-laws and her husband works in a garments factory. She is a house

wife and stays at home to take care of the household. She had interest in stitching but could not

afford expenses of training institutes. She approached CLAAS on March 20, 2018 to acquire

free stitching training in CLAAS Stitching Centre. CLAAS provided her free of cost training

opportunity and also accommodated her in shelter home for one month.

Samra Arif (15) d/o Arif Bhatti is a resident of Asif Town, Lahore. She belongs to a poor family

and the family lives in a rented house. Her father is a day laborer and her mother works in a

garments factory. She has 3 siblings and two of them work in the garments factory along with



their mother. Samra had interest in stitching and aimed to establish herself as a professionally

trained person and to meet the needs of the family. She approached CLAAS on March 20, 2018

to get free stitching training in CLAAS Stitching Centre. CLAAS provided her free of cost training

opportunity and also accommodated her in CLAAS shelter home for one month.

Suman Naeem (18) d/o Naeem Masih is a resident of Asif Town, Lahore. She belongs to a poor

family; her father was arrested in Youhanabad case incident and with the help of CLAAS, he

was released on bail and his case is still under trial. Although Suman’s father is a rickshaw

driver and mother works in a garments factory but all family members are struggling hard to

meet their needs. She wanted to learn stitching so could become a helping hand for her family.

She approached CLAAS on March 20, 2018 to get free stitching training in CLAAS Stitching

Centre. CLAAS provided her free of cost training opportunity and also accommodated her at

CLAAS shelter home for five months. CLAAS also supported her for schooling and she got

admission in 6th grade in a private school while staying at shelter.

Riba Naeem (19) d/o Naeem was accommodated in Apna Ghar with her two sisters Suman and

Marraim for one month because of a large family and her parents could not afford to educate

her. They arranged her marriage and before her marriage, she wanted to learn stitching so she

could become a helping hand for her family. She approached CLAAS on March 20, 2018 to get

in CLAAS Stitching Centre. CLAAS provided her free of cost training opportunity.

Marriam Naeem (17) d/o Naeem Masih is a resident of Asif Town, Lahore. She was

accommodated with her sister Suman and Riba for stitching training so she could become a

helping hand for her family. CLAAS provided her the opportunity to get free of cost training.

CLAAS also supported her for her schooling and she got admission in 6th grade in a private

school.

Maria Sultan (16) d/o Sultan Younas is a resident of Asif Town, Lahore. Her father works on

daily wages in an electronics company while mother works in a garments factory. As her

parents’ income is very low, they could not afford to educate her further. She wanted to learn

stitching so she could help her parents with the monthly household expenses. She approached

CLAAS on March 20, 2018 to get free stitching training in CLAAS Stitching Centre. CLAAS

provided her the opportunity to get free of cost training.

Christina Asif (16) d/o Asif Masih is a resident of Asif Town, Lahore and belongs to a poor

family. Her father is a mason by profession while mother works in a garments factory. She has 4

younger siblings who are studying while she has only passed 7th grade. She stayed at home to

take care of household while her parents are at work but she had a desire to get stitching

training. She approached CLAAS on March 20, 2018 to get free stitching training in CLAAS

Stitching Centre. CLAAS provided her free of cost training.



5.2 Other Projects

a) Feeding Project

The persecuted Christians who are implicated in fake cases of blasphemy and other allegations

have not only to go through prolonged trials but their families have also to face acute financial

crisis. CLAAS has taken initiative to help these people in their hard times and feed them

monthly with the support of Barnabas Fund UK since July 2011, besides helping them in their

legal cases. At present, CLAAS is helping 40 families to ensure enough food/ uncooked items

for their children on monthly basis. CLAAS has ensured the survivours that God is the provider

and He is with them in all their troubles and worries.

Total 40 Christian families (178 individuals) including widows, blasphemy victims and victims’

families of Youhanabad incident are supported through this project.

The numbers of families and individuals supported is:

Sr. No Name of Beneficiary Nature of case Total

Members

Period receiving

grocery

1. Zeenat widow of Javed Widow 05 2011

2. Ruqiya widow of Munir Widow and Blasphemy

victim

03 2011

3. Shahnaz widow of

Lawrence

Old and sick lady but

now she is settled with

her children

02 2011

4. Asma widow of Pervaiz Widow and poor lady 03 2011

5. Marriam Alla Ditta Orphan living with two

disable siblings

03 2011

6. Afzal Masih Blind 06 2011

7. Rukhsana widow of

Rashid

Widow 05 2011

8. Rubina Amjad Blasphemy victim 06 2011

9. Naeem Bhatti Victim of Youhanabad

incident and settled

now as he has started

his own business of

property dealer

09 2015

10. Bushra Anwar Her husband was victim

of blasphemy

07 2011

11. Zamurad Asad Old couple 04 2015

12. Saima Hameed Victims of Youhanabad 05 2015



incident

13. Azra Irfan Disable Couple 05 2015

14. Fouzia widow of

Hussain

Widow and has no

income resources

05 2016

15. Ludvina Hadayat Old and sick lady living

with disable daughter

and have no income

resources

04 female

2015

16. Sharifian widow

ofSaddique

Settled now and they

are running their own

stitching centre

04 2015

17. Mariam Yousaf Old and poor 05 2015

18. Victoria widow of

Emmanuel

Widow and poor 05 2016

19. Parveen widow of

Iftikhar

Widow and cancer

patient

04 2014

20. Parveen Younis Old and sick and has

no income resources

04 2016

21. Asif Javed Victim of Youhanabad

incident

05

2015

22. Margrate d/o Heera Burnt by her husband

and has no income

resources as she is

unable to do any work

04 2013

23. Mukhtaran widow of

Hadayat

Old and sick lady and

has no income

resources

08 2014

24. Fouzia widow of

Karamat

Widow and living with

her minor children

04 2014

25. Hanifan widow of

Safdar

Victim of Youhanabad

incident

03 2015

26. Yasmeen widow of

Tariq

Victim of Youhanabad

incident

02 2015

27. Shamim Ilyas Her husband is

confined in jail in

lynching case of

Youhanabad

08 2015

28. Sobia Sawan Her husband is

confined in jail under

the charge of

blasphemy

05 2013

29. Nawab Bibi Her husband is

confined in the jail

02 2013



under the charge of

blasphemy

30. Josephine Anwar Disable sibling and has

no income resources

03

2017

31. Alice w/o Aslam Her husband is

confined in the jail in

lynching case of

Youhanabad

06 2017

32. Rukhsana Rehmat Old lady and has no

income resources

03 2017

33. Arif Zia Old and sick man and

his son is confined in

the jail in lynching case

of Youhanabad and he

has no income resource

02 2017

34. Naziran widow of Bashir

Masih

Her son is confined in

lynching case of

Youhanabad

05 2017

35. Shazia widow of Alfred Widow, living with her

minors and has no

proper means of

income

04 2015

36. Rakhal widow of Ameen Widow is living with

minors

04 2017

37. Bashrian widow of

Hakim

Old and sick lady and

has no income

resources and is living

with two minors

grandsons

03

2017

38. Sobia widow of

Emmanuel

Widow and her children

are minors

07 2015

39. Saima Gama Poor and disable 03 2017

40. Boota Masih Blind and has no

income resources

03 2017

Total 178 individual

.



Success Stories of Feeding Project Families:

1-Asif Javed 26 s/o Javed Masih is a victim of

Youhanabad incident. Police arrested Asif along

with his five brohters in vandilisum case of

Youhanabad after the terrortist attacks on two

Churches in March 2015. Asif was confied in the jail

till five months and through CLAAS legal

assistance, he was relaesed on bail in July 2015

and his case is still under trial. Although Asif was

realesd on bail, but was severly tortured by the

police and consequetly became disable and cannot

do any work to support his family. CLAAS provided him legal and financial assistance andis

providing food packages given by Barnabas Fund UK since 2015. He is happy and thankful to

CLAAS and Barnabas for his support.

2- Yasmeen widow of Tariq aged 21 is living in her aunt’s

house at Chungi Lahore. Her husband Tariq Masih was

arrested by the police on March 21, 2015 in Youhanabad

vandalism case. Tariq was bailed out on July 16th 2015. In

December 2015, he suffered a heart attack and could not

survive. His wife Yasmeen was eight months pregnant at that

time. She approached CLAAS for financial support. CLAAS

is providing her monthly grocery through feeding project of

Barnabas Fund UK. In July 2018, Yasmeen’s parent

arranged her second marriage with a brick kiln laborer who

used to torture her physically and mentally. Yasmeen left him

and now she is living with her aunt and is working as

domestic servant and earn money for her daughter’s needs. She is very much thankful to

Barnabas Fund UK for the support of food package as the food is enough for her.

3- Hanifan widow of Safdar is a resident of Khaliq

Nagar Youhanabad, Lahore. She has three

daughters and one son Faisal age 19. Faisal was

arrested by the police in Youhanabad vandalism

case in March 2015. With the efforts of CLAAS,

Faisal was released on bail but still he has to

appear in court for trial proceedings. On October

20, 2015, Hanifan’s husband expired in a road

accident and due to trail proceeding, Faisal also

could not find out a proper livelihood for his family.

CLAAS is supporting them through Feeding Project.



4-Naeem Bhatti was arrested by the police in

vandalism and destruction of government

property in the incident of Youhanabad, after the

twin suicide bomb blasts in Christ Church and

Saint John’s Catholic Church Youhanabad

Lahore on March 15, 2015. He was confined in

judicial lockup at Kot Lakhpat Jail Lahore for four

months. His wife Sugrah Bibi approached

CLAAS for legal and financial support. Through

CLAAS legal assistance, he was released on bail

on July 15, 2015. CLAAS also supported them

through Feeding Project.

5-Shamim’s husband Illyas was arrested in

lynching case of Youhanabad incident and still

confined in the jail. After Ilyas confinement in jail,

Shamim had no proper financial support, and

she herself also could not do much work as she

is sick and cannot listen and speak properly. Her

elder son is laborer but their earning is not

sufficient for the whole family and they are under

acute financial crisis. CLAAS is providing them

financial support through Feeding Project.

6- Saima w/o Hameed Masih is living in a rented

house at Asif Town, Lahore along with her

husband and three children. Her elder son Amir

was expired by the hit of Maryam Safdar’s car on

March 16, 2015 (incident of Youhanabad). After

Amir’s death, Hameed Masih 41 become the

heart patient and was not able to work properly.

Saima started working as housemaid but it was

much difficult for her to manage all

expenditures.CLAAS is providing legal

assistance to them through contesting the

accident case of Youhanabad in which accused Maryam Safdar is facing trial.CLAAS is

supporting them through Feeding Project.



7- Alice’s husband Aslam Booda is confined at

Kot Lakhpat Jail Lahore in lynching case of

Youhanabad since March 2015 and still case is

under trial proceedings. Alice was facing acute

financial crisis as having four children. CLAAS is

supporting her through Feeding Project.

8- Naziran widow of Bashir Masih, an old lady is

a resident of Youhanabad Lahore. Her son Irfan

is confined in Kot Lakhpat Jail Lahore in lynching

case of Youhanabad. Naziran Bibi worked as

laborer in her old age. CLAAS is providing her

free legal aid for her son and started providing

grocery to her on monthly basis since January

2018.

9-Bushra’s husband Anwar Masih was alleged

for committing blasphemy and was confined in

prison under the charge of 295-C of the Pakistan

Panel Code. Through CLAAS, he was bailed out

after five months. Bushra along with her five

children was accommodated in “Apna Ghar” till

Anwar was acquitted from his case. CLAAS

started to help him financially and also supported

them on monthly basis since 2011 by providing

food package given by Barnabas Fund UK. The

whole family is very much thankful to CLAAS

and Barnabas Funds for their help in their

difficult times. At present Bushra’s five children are also getting education through feeding

project support. At present Anwar is living in Karachi and working as laborer and his income is

much enough for the whole family. Bushra also started embroidery work at home. CLAAS team

visited the family and found that they are happily settled now.

10- Margaret Masih (23) is a victim of Acid attack. She is Christian by faith and resident of

Bank Stop Kamahan, Lahore. She got married to Baber Masih in 2010. They were blessed with

a son who they named Jeevan (meaning life). On February 14, 2013, Baber threw acid on



Margaret targeting her face. She spent four months in hospital and after having many plastic

surgeries, started living at her father’s home. A

case was registered against her husband Baber

and CLAAS provided legal assistance to

Margaret. At present, the accused is behind the

bars. Margaret told CLAAS that this acid attack

did not onlydisfigure her face but her soul was

also hurt. The attitude of the people is very

hurtful. She was not given any work opportunity

because of her face. She still needs some

cosmetic surgery but does not have any means.

She requested CLAAS for financial help. CLAAS

is providing her monthly grocery through

Feeding project and contesting appeal in Lahore High Court Lahore which was filed by her

husband against his conviction. She is very much thankful to CLAAS and Barnabas Fund UK for

their support.

11- Rakhal widow of Ameen is the resident of

Uggoki, Sialkot. In April 2017, her husband

Ameen Masih was brutally tortured and burnt

alive by Muslim shopkeepers at Uggoki. Rakhal

started working in a factory in Sialkot as a

support staff at a salary of rupees 14,000/- per

month. But these expenses were not enough to

support her children’s educational expenditures

also. CLAAS is supporting her financially

through Barnabas Funds UK.Rakhel is

extremely grateful to CLAAS and Barnabas

Fund UK for her support.

12-Shehnaz Bibi (45) widow of Lawrence

Daniel is paralyzed from left arm. She has also

inflated eyes with cataract. Her husband died in

2004 and left his four children. At present, three

are married while one son namely Obaid is

single. Obaid works in a textile mill on daily

wages, but hisexpenses are more than his

income as he is even unable to pay the house

rent. CLAAS appointed him and his brother in-

lawas security guard at CLAAS office, and

Obaid’s sister was also appointed as kitchen

staff.CLAAS supported Shehnaz since 2011 by

providing food packages given by Barnabas Fund UK. Now she can manage as her children

have also become a helping hand.



13-Asma widow of Parvaiz Masih lived in Sahiwal

along with her three minor sons. Her husband

was killed in 2004. CLAAS has been supporting

her financially since 2011 with the food package

given by Barnabas Fund UK on monthly basis. In

December 2015, her 17 years old son expired in

a road accident and at present two sons is

remaining. She said that without the help of these

food packages, it was much difficult for her to

survive along with her minor children. She is

thankful to CLAAS and Barnabas Fund UK for

their support.

14-Afzal Masih (47)is a resident of Chianwali

district Sialkot. In 2002, a Presbyterian Church

was attacked in a small village Chianwali Tehsil

Daska District Sialkot during a Christmas service.

Several were injured and Afzal Masih was one of

them who lost both of his eyes. CLAAS is

supporting him financially since 2011 and also

providing the food package given by Barnabas

Funds UK.

15- Zamurd 49 w/o Asad Tanvir lives in Bahar Colony Lahore with her two children Suman 20

and Afzan 19. Her husband works as generator

operator and on July 2, 2015 he had a heart attack

and got hospitalized. After that he was unable to start

his job therefore, Zamurd had financial crisis because

she had no income sources. On July 29, 2015

Zamurd approached CLAAS office and requested for

financial support for her husband’s treatment. CLAAS

supported her family by providing food package given

by Barnabas Funds UK since 2015. She and her

children are very much thankful to CLAAS and

Barnabas Fund for their support. She is living in a

rented house. She is also a heart patient as her heart

has increased in size and she is under medical

treatment. CLAAS team visited her house and found

that although she is living in a rented house but

house was fully furnished. At that time Zamurd and her husband Asad were present at home.

Upon inquiring about her children she shared that her daughter was at her job as she is a staff

nurse and her son was going to his college. Team found that they can easily manage all their

needs and do not require further support.



16- Disable Couple Azra and Irfan: Azra wife of

Irfan Masih is a polio patient by birth. She got

married in 2008 with Irfan Masih. They have three

children named Mehek 8 years, Daim 6 years and

Reeba 2 year and they are all healthy and able. Her

husband was a painter by profession. He got into a

road accident; both his legs were injured in the

accident which left him disabled. He is unable to

walk on his feet and thus cannot work. They

approached CLAAS for help. CLAAS team visited

their house in Asif Town, Lahore. Team was

heartbroken to witness their living condition. They live in a small rented room with nothing in it.

Their monthly rent is Rupees 2000/-, their relatives and neighbors occasionally pay their rent.

CLAAS gave them a stitching machine on Irfan’s request so that they can generate some

income to support their basic needs and he started stitching at home to manage the needs of

his family. In 2016 CLAAS started to help them with monthly grocery through feeding project

supported by Barnabas Funds UK. The family is very much thankful to CLAAS for their support.

Now their children are going to school and they can manage their school’ fee through the

support of CLAAS and Barnabas Fund UK. They also changed their home and shifted another

rented house with good location.

17-Fouzia Hussain 44 w/o Hussain Masih lives

with her family at Asif Town, Lahore. She has four

children. Fouzia’s husband was suffering with liver

cancer. Due to Hussains’s ailment, it was difficult for

Fouzia to manage the needs of family and medical

expenditures of her husband as cancer treatment

therefore CLAAS started to help Fouzia on monthly

basis by providing food package given by Barnabas

Fund UK. CLAAS also supported Fouzia for medical

treatment of her husbandbut unfortunately he died

in 2017. CLAAS team visited Fouzia’s house and

found that Fouzia’s children are adult and her sons are not earning. They are living in their own

home, fully equipped with all necessities of life. CLAAS team observed that they have no need

for further support.

18-Ludvina 70 w/o Hadyat Masih is a resident of F-Block Youhanabad, Lahore. She is living in

her own house and has only two daughters named Yasmeen 32 (paralyzed and mentally sick)

and Iram 30 (married and has 06 years old daughter). Ludvina’s husband went to Karachi for

job about 20 years ago. He never returned home or contacted Ludvina. Although it was difficult

for her to look after the daughters without any support, but she managed and started job as

nurse. Unfortunately, she lost eyesight from one eye and stopped working. Somehow 10 years

ago she arranged her daughter Iram’s marriage with Kamran Akhter who started living with

them. Kamran was not interested in doing any work and he demanded to register house



property of Ladvina in his name. But Iram did not agree as the house was their only shelter.

Therefore Kamran left her and did not contact her

again. Through CLAAS legal assistance, Iram

(Ludvina’s daughter) got divorce from her

husband and started living with her mother along

with her 06 years old daughter Anna. Iram started

working as housemaid but her income was not

enough for them. She approached CLAAS in

December 2015 for financial support. CLAAS

visited her home and started to help the family on

monthly basis by providing food package given by

Barnabas Fund UK. She is much thankful to

CLAAS and prays for CLAAS and its supporters.

19-Sharifan 55widow of Saddique Masih is a

resident of A-Block Youhanabad, Lahore. In 2003,

her husband expired due to heart attack and left

five children. Later on, her two children also

expired and at present, she is living in a rented

house with her three children. She is suffering

from bone disease and is not able to do any work.

Her daughter passed intermediate examination

and got stitching training with the support of

CLAAS. At present she is stitching clothes at

home to generate income to support the family.

Both her sons are painters but did not get proper job therefore they often face scarcity of food.

Their income is not enough for the whole family but somehow they manage their house rent and

electricity bills etc. In January 2016, CLAAS started to help them with food package given by

Barnabas Fund UK. She is very much thankful to CLAAS and Barnabas for their support,

because through this support, her daughter was able to complete her education. CLAAS team

visited the family and found that all her children are earning now. She arranged her son’s

marriage from the saving. Now her daughter and daughter in-law established their own stitching

Training Centre at home for the poor girls.

20- Saima Gama Saima (35) d/o Gama Masih

(65) is living in Youhanabad Lahore. Saima is

deaf and mute. Saima has only one son named

Sakindar aged 11 years. Saima’s father shared

that he arranged her marriage thrice but she could

not adjust. Now she is living with her father along

with her son since the last two years with her

married sister Saba in a rented house.Gama is

heart patient and could not work properly, and

could not bear the expenses of Saima and her



son. Through some sources, they came to know about CLAAS and requested for financial

support. CLAAS started providing grocery to Saima since January 2018. In October 2018,

CLAAS visited them at home and found that they had been properly settled now as Saima’s

family saved money which they were spent on grocery and through this saving; they were able

to fulfill their other needs.

21- Boota Masih 40, a blind at the age of 10

because of head injured got married to

Nasreen (33) Boota about 17 years ago.The

couple has one daughter Noor 10 years old

studying in 2nd grade and one son who is

minor. Boota is unable to do any job while

Nusrat is working as housemaid in two

houses on Rs. 2000/- monthly but her

income is not enough for them. They visited

CLAAS on July 4, 2016 for financial help.

CLAAS supported them through Feeding

project and now they are at least able to eat

daily. Nusrat and her husband are very much thankful to CLAAS and its support through feeding

project.

b) Sunday School

Christmas gifts distribution among the children at brick kilns & Sunday

school students supported by CLAAS UK

In Pakistan, brick making is one of the most important building materials industries employing

about 10 million people directly and indirectly. However, an estimated two million children also

work for up to 14 hours a day, six days a week, lacking basic rights and access to social

security. The brick kiln workers also live below the poverty line. CLAAS tried its best to reduce

their disappointment by distributing gifts on Christmas occasions and shared happiness with those

people

In December 2018, Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement ( CLAAS Pakistan)

distributed 250 Christmas gifts among the children of laborers working at different brick kilns in

collaboration with CLAAS UK, while keeping in mind that Christmas is not just a time of festivity,

rather it’s a spirit of love, caring and sharing. CLAAS distributed Christmas gifts among the

children of bricks kiln’s workers at six brick kilns in District Kasur and Raiwind areas, Sunday

school and orphan’s children in Lahore. One child from each family between the age of 4 to 11

year was selected so that every family could celebrate Christmas. The children who received gifts

from CLAAS were very happy. These children are very much thankful to CLAAS for sharing the

blessings with GOD’s people on Christmas. The children expressed their views and feelings of

happiness after receiving the gifts.



December 19, 2018; CLAAS invited the

Children of Joshua Sunday School and New

Life Foundation (orphan age) at CLAAS

office from Youhanabad Lahore for

Christmas cake cutting ceremony. Joshua

Sunday School is working under Joshua

Church Ministry and CLAAS supports it

since last three years. Sunday school in-

charge Ms. Maria along with 36 children and

25 children of New Life Foundation along

with their In-charge Pastor attended the

ceremony. Mr. Mr. M.A Joseph Francis

MBE, National Director CLAAS distributed Christmas gifts among the children. Ms. Maria is very

much thankful to CLAAS for its support since last three years for Sunday school support and for

Christmas gifts.

December 20, 2018; Mr. M.A Joseph

Francis MBE, National Director, Center for

Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement

(CLAAS) went to Kasur along with CLAAS

staff members at Haji Nawaz Brick Kiln

No.1. Almost 25 families are living there

since last 20 years. CLAAS has started a

Sunday school on this brick kiln with the

name of “God is Love”.

CLAAS runs two other Sunday Schools on

two brick kilns, one “National Bricks Sunday

School at” National Brick Company where

28 families are living and the second as

Sharif Awan brick kiln where 30 families are

living. Mr. Junaid Saleem has been

appointed as Sunday school teacher on

both brick kilns. He is living on the brick kiln

and his family is still working as laborer. Mr.

Juniad is a brilliant student who is studying

in Bachelor of Science (B.Sc). The children

of Sunday School warmly welcomed Mr.

Joseph Francis and CLAAS team. Mr. Joseph Francis distributed 83 Christmas gifts among the

children. The families and children paid thanks to CLAAS.



December 23, 2018; CLAAS National Director Mr. Joseph Francis along with his team visited

Raiwind and met laborers of three brick kilns and distributed 106 gifts among the Christian

children of brick kiln’s laborers. The children were very happy after receiving the Christmas

presents and were very much thankful to CLAAS resources.

Numbers of Children Who Received Gifts

Sr. No Name of school or brick

kiln

Area Numbers of

Children

Date of

Distribution

1. Joshua Sunday School Youhanabad Lahore 36 December 19,

2018

2. New life Foundation for

Orphans

Youhanabad Lahore 25 December 19,

2018

3. Haji Nawaz Brick Kiln No.1 Ferozpure Road

Sadar Diwan Kasur

25 December 22,

2018

4. National Bricks Company

Haji Nawaz Brick Kiln No.2

Qadi Wind Road

Kasur.

28 December 22,

2018

5. Sharif Awan Bricks

Haji Nawaz Brick Kiln No.7

Qadi Wind Road

Kasur.

30 December 22,

2018

6. Union Brick

Haji Akram and Haji Islam

brick kiln

Raiwind 36 December 23,

2018

7. Madina Brick Kiln Raiwind 37 December 23,

2018

8. Allah ho Akbar Brick Kiln of

Haji Younis

Raiwind 33 December 23,

2018

Total Numbers 250 Children

Testimonies of Children

Merab from Joshua Sunday School shared that “since the last three years, CLAAS gave them

Christmas gifts and they feel special while receiving these gifts. We feel the real joy and

happiness when we share these gifts with our siblings at home and always pray for CLAAS and

its resources that our God Almighty protects them so that they can continue their work for the

Christian people in Pakistan.

Neha Rehmat is a student of Sunday school at National Bricks. She shared that they always

become glad to receive Christmas gift from CLAAS from the last three years. It gives immense

happiness to us and we share these gifts with other siblings.

CLAAS is very much thankful to CLAAS UK for the support of Christmas gifts which gave

immense happiness, joy and hope to the children of poor people.



Chapter 6

Legal Aid



CLAAS has been actively promoting and protecting the rights of marginalized communities in

Pakistan since the last about 25 years. CLAAS primarily provide legal aid, protection and

rehabilitative support to the innocent victims of religious persecution, prisoners of conscience,

blasphemy, forced conversion, forced marriage, sexual assault and other oppression. These

victims are normally so poor that they cannot have enough means to collect documents from

different law enforcing agencies in support or defense of their respective cases. They are

usually also not in a position to engage a lawyer. CLAAS help them in collecting required

material, help them to lodge criminal and civil complaints and in arranging lawyers to pursue

their cases in the courts. CLAAS efforts have resulted in the acquittal of many blasphemies,

murder, theft and many related matters.

Blasphemy Cases

1- Zafar Bhatti; A Christian, resident of Rawalpindi, was

allegedly accused of sending a blasphemous text from his

phone to one Ibrar Ahmed Khan, Deputy General Secretary

of “Ahal-e-Sunnat Wal Jmaat” a religious organization in

Rawalpindi. On the complaint of Ibrar Ahmed, a case was

registered against Zafar Bhatti and he was announced guilty

after police interrogation and was sent to Adiala jail

Rawalpindi. After lengthy jail trail of five years, on May 3rd

2017, Aafar was awarded life imprisonment in 295-C of the

Pakistan Penal Code. On 6th May 2017, an appeal against

this judgment was filed in Lahore High Court – Rawalpindi

Bench through CLAAS lawyer.The appeal is under

proceedings. CLAAS is supporting Nawab Bibi with food

package and financial support since 2012.

2- Sawan Masih; 100 of Christian houses were set on fire in Joseph Colony-Badami Bagh,

Lahore on 8th March 2013 by a large Muslim

mob. The reason behind this Massacre was a

Blasphemy accusation on Sawan Masih, one

of the residents of Joseph Colony. The

complainant Shahid Imran had suspected

Sawan of making derogatory remarks against

Prophet Muhammad (PBU). A case was

registered against Sawan on 8th March 20013,

and after police investigation, he was sent to

Camp Jail Lahore. On March 27th 2014,

Sawan was convicted under section 295C of

PPC and sentenced to death with 200,000/-



(two hundred thousand rupees) fine. He is still confined in jail. His appeal against this

conviction was filed within 7days in the Lahore High Court through CLAAS lawyer.His appeal is

still pending for finial arguments on account of using delaying tactics by the other party. CLAAS

is supporting Sawan’s family through feeding project and also is providing Rs. 10, 000/- on

monthly basis.

3- Qaiser and Amoon Ayub; both brothers are accused of operating a website and a blog

through which they were alleged to be post and disseminate blasphemous material

againstProphet Muhammad (PBUH).According to the FIR, in August 2010, one Raheel Malik

came across some offensive material while browsing the internet. He shared the said offensive

material with one Muhammad Saeed also. Muhammad Saeed took the material to Police

Station City Talagang and filed an application for registering a case against Qaiser and Amoon

Ayub. An inquiry was conducted by Cyber Crimes Circle, Lahore of FIA. The investigation report

was sent to Inspector General of Punjab (IGP) with the recommendations for registering a case

under 295A, 295B and 295C against both Qaiser and Amoon Ayub. On June 9th 2011, Police

Station city Talagang registered the case. Qaiser was arrested on November 11th, 2014 and

was sent to District jail Jehlum. Amoon was arrested on 18th April 2015, and was also sent to

District jail Jehlum. Both brothers pleaded not guilty and claimed that they were falsly fabricated

in this case because of personal enmity. Additional Sessions Judge awarded them Capital

punishment with Rs. 100,000/- (one hundred thousand rupees only) fine. On December 19th

2018, CLAAS through its lawyer filed an appeal in the Lahore High Court – Rawalpindi Bench

and the appeal is pending.

4- Nabeel Masih; One Nabeel aged 14 years, resident of District Kasur was accused of posting

a picture of Khanna Kaba (Holy place of

Muslims) in an offensive manner on his face

book timeline. The complainant Akhtar Ali, who

was his coworker, claimed to have seen the

picture and filed an application in Police station

Saddar Phool Nagar for registering a case

against Nabeel Masih. On September 18th 2016,

a case was registered under section 295 and

295A of Pakistan Penal Code. Nabeel was

arrested and was sent to District Jail Kasur. On

13th March 2017, aformal charge was framed

against Nabeel and the case was fixed for

evidence of complainant. Since it is a bailable offense, CLAAS filed his post arrest bail on the

statutory delay in trial which was rejected by Judicial Magistrate Pattoki District Kasur.

On 30th March 2018, CLAAS filed another bail application in the court of Additional Session

Judge Pattoki, which was also rejected on 16th April 2018. On November 2018, Session Judge

Kasur wrote a letter to Home department Punjab requesting a jail trail. Permission was granted.

Still his case trial is pending for finial arguments as the complainant party filed a petition in

Lahore High Court Lahore which is pending for decision.



Further CLAAS is providing financial support to Nabeel’s family on monthly basis and also

supporting them with grocery package.

5- Shamshad Bibi; On July 11th, 2012, a case

was filed under section 295B of Pakistan Penal

Code in police station Hanjerwal, Lahore on the

complaint of one Qari Ishtiaq Hussain who

accused Shamshad for throwing Holy Quran in a

Gutter (drain). Subsequently, Police arrested

Shamshad Bibi from her house and after judicial

remand, she was sent tojail on 12th July 2012.

Shamshad is on bail and facing her trail before

the court.

Update of Youhanabad Case

On March 15th 2015, four suicide bombers attacked two catholic churches in Youhannabad,

District Lahore, killing several Christians and injuring hundreds. After blast, few Christian were

helping the rescue teams in collecting the dead bodies and transferring injured to the hospitals,

while some other residents protested against this brutal attack. During the demonstration,

people suspected two men as attacker’s accomplice among the protesting crowd. According to

the eye witnesses, the angry protesters grabbed these two suspected men and recovered a fire

arm from one and handed over them to the on duty police officers.

Three separate FIRs (First Information Report) were registered against unknown Christians

signifying that police had the whole authority to nominate and charge as many Christians as

they want. FIR 391/15was registered for Lynching, FIR 392/15 and FIR 395/15 for vandalism

and destruction of government property. These cases were registered in Nishtar Colony police

station, Lahore. After getting free hand from the government, police started raiding every

Christian house in and around that vicinity. Police broke into Christian’s homes late at night

using ladders. Every male member was abducted from the house and was taken to unknown

destination. The women and children were threatened and forbade speaking against this brutal

act of police.

After eleven days of disappearances, an old man (Late Baba Javed) whose six sons had also

been abducted by police, approached CLAAS and narrated the story and asked for help.

CLAAS immediately filed a petition in the Lahore High Court against Chief Minister of Punjab,

Interior Minister and other high officials in Punjab Government for disappearances of

Youhanabad residents. In the first hearing, the Honorable judge gaveorders to the Punjab

government to present the disappeared individuals in the Court. Right after this, police released

the abductees, threatening them not to speak against the law enforcing agencies in the court

hearing.



42 detaineeswere nominated in the lynching case and after judicial remand, were sent to Kot

Lakhpat jail, Lahore. While in prison, these victims faced brutal torture, discrimination, and

harassment from other fellow inmates and prison officials. During one of the court hearings,

some of the accused told Mr. Joseph Francis that the State prosecutor was threatening and

forcing them to embrace Islam and then they will be rewarded with acquittal and in case of

refusal to this offer, they would have to face severe consequences.

Hearing this, CLAAS organized a press conference to disclose these facts to the media. The

electronic and printed media highlighted these allegations and gave full coverage to this

incident. The Punjab government was forced to probe into this matter and confirmed these

allegations charged against the State Prosecutor. He was immediately suspended and

transferred to another city. Right after this incident, two of the detainees died and one was taken

to the hospital after cardiac arrest. The jail authorities conducted autopsy of the two deceased

claiming the cause of death natural. CLAAS gave an application in the Lahore High Court

requesting to have full medical examination of all detainees. The application was accepted and

alleged victims were medically examined.At present, 40 accused are facing trial in lynching case

of Youhanabad and their case is under proceedings for evidence of prosecution.

The Christians accused in FIR No. 392/15 or vandalism and destruction of government property

are still on bail. Their trial is conducted in the court of Anti-Terrorism Court Lahore. In both these

Youhunnabad cases, (Murder and vandalism), there are almost 05 other lawyers beside CLAAS

who are pursuing these cases.



Cases of Forced Conversion And Forced Marriages

1- Mumtaz Bibi Vs SHO Islam Pura (Habeas Corpus for the Recovery of Kinza)

Kinza (14), a victim of forced conversion and

forced marriage was accommodated in “Apna

Ghar” and legal aid was also provided by

CLAAS to her. According to the facts, Kinza has

five siblings, four are married. Her mother is

working as sweeper in Fatima Memorial

Hospital Lahore, and her father is mentally ill.

She passed 8th grade a few years back, and

due to financial crisis, she had to stop her

studies. In 2017, shedeveloped familiarity with a

Muslim boy, Ihtasham Malik.Ihtasham forced

her to marry him but Kinza was reluctant to do

the same due to the religion difference. Knowing this, Kinza’ family restricted her for the same.

After some weeks, on December 19, 2017, when Kinza was alone at home, Ihtasham forcibly

abducted Kinza and took her at his friend’s house. He induced Kinza for marrying him, and on

her refusal, he sexually abused her. Next day, on December 20, 2017, he forcibly got married

with Kinza according to the Islamic ritesand converted her to Islam just to avoid any legal

litigationbut her name was not changed. Ihtasham took Kinza to his parents’ house where she

was detained. Ihtasham and his parents started beating and torturing Kinza and threatened her

of dire consequences if she contacts her parents and run away.

Kinza’s father Javed immediately lodged an application against Ihtasham on December 19,

2017 with the local police station Islampura, Lahore.But police did not register any case against

Ihtasham, rather, demanded bribery, even knowing the presence of Kinza at Ihtashms’ house.

Kinza, somehow, contacted her mother after few days and requested for her recovery..

On January 08 2018, Kinza’s mother Mumtaz Bibi approached CLAAS for the recovery of her

daughter. CLAAS filed habeas corpus petition for Kinza’s recovery twice but could not recover

as Ihtasham used to harass her and she could not state the real facts in the court.

On March 2018, Kinza managed to escape from the custody of her husband and came at her

parents’ home. Kinza’s statement against Ihtasham was recorded on March 02, 2018 and

subsequently, anharassment petitionwas filed on behalf of Kinza against Ihtasham. The petition

was disposed off in favour of Kinza and she was allowed to live with her parents. Kinza had to

live in CLAAS’s rehabilitation centre “Apna Ghar” for some days as she was facing severe

trauma. CLAAS provided her counseling services, while engaging a psychologist and after

some days, she became well and returned to her parent’s home.



2-Ayesha (Elisha) Vs Sbair

Elisha(Ayesha) aged 18 years, a Christian by

faith and resident of Baddar Colony Lahore (a

Muslim area) has been living with her widow

mother Alice. Elisha is the only daughter of her

mother and was studying in 10th grade. Some

years ago, Elisha developed friendship with a

Muslim girl, living in the same area.

Consecutively, friendship turned into a family

relationship, while Elisha also started meeting

Sabir, brother of same friend. Once, Elisha was

at Sabir’s home for attending his sister’s

marriage ceremony, she was sexually abused by Sabir. He promised to marry her. He also

threatened her of dire consequence if she will disclose the sexual assault to anyone. Elisha was

scared of her life and also for her widow mother, so did not disclose this to anyone. Sabir

sexually abused Ayesha many times, and then on 18th March 2018, he got married with her just

to safe himself from rape and adultery legal litigation. Sabir also forced Elisha to embarrass

Islam and prepared a conversion certificate to change her name to Ayesha. He forced Elisha to

live at her mother’s house and warned not to disclose anyone. After three months, Sabir took

Elisha to his home and filed an harassment petition on behalf of Elisha against Elisha’s mother

and maternal relatives. Elisha started living with her Muslim in-laws (Sabir’s family) but they did

not accept her as their daughter in-law and started treating her as house maid. They also

detained her at home and did not allow her to visit her mother. Her in-laws also started to teach

her Islamic rules and customs and forced her to act as True Muslim. Sabir also started forcing

Elisha to take money from her mother and demand her inheritance rights in her mother’s house.

On September 14, 2018, Elisha left her husband’s home and started living at mother’s home.

Elisha and her mother approached CLAAS on September 17, 2018 for legal and shelter suport

as they were facing life threats from Sabir. On behalf of Elisha, CLAAS filed a suit for dissolution

of marriage on basis of “Khula”. After receiving first notice, Sabir submitted an application in the

local police station, stating that Elisha’s mother had detained her forcibly and he wanted to meet

her. CLAAS submitted a written statement in which she stated that she did not want to live with

Sabir and she had not been detained by her mother. During her stay at shelter home, it was

disclosed that Elisha was pregnant and could not get divorce during that period. She had to

compromise with Sabir and went back to Sabir’s home on October 04, 2018. She is still in

contact with her mother and is bearing all cruelty of her husband just for the sake of her child.

3- Ashraf Masih Vs Kashif etc & SHO Manga Mandi

Maria, aged 13 years, a Christian girl, resident of Ahamedabad, Manga Mandi, Lahore, was

abducted by a Muslim named Muhammad Kashif who subsequently compelled her to marry him



under the Muslim law. Tahira Bibi w/o Ashraf Masih, (mother of Maria) approached CLAAS for

legal assistance regarding the recovery of her daughter Maria from Kashif.

As per Tahira statement, Maria used to work

as house maid along with her mother Tahira

and Sister Naina. A few months back, Maria

developed familiarity with one Kashif, a

Muslim, resident of the same locality. Her

sister Naina knew everything about this. One

Sheedo, a Muslim lady, resident of the same

area had friendly relationships with Tahira

family since long and they trusted her a lot. On

the day of incident i.e. September 09, 2018,

Sheedo took Maria and Naina for having lunch

from the nearest hotel and, later on, both the

girl’s did not come back to home. They came to know that Sheedo along with Kashif had

abducted both the girls and took them to Kashif’s house where Kashif forcibly got married with

Maria after converting her to Islam.

Ashraf Masih lodged an abduction case against Kahsif and Sheedo but police did not pay any

heed to his request for registering an FIR, rather, they, tentatively, raided at Kashif’s house on

October 04, 2018 and recovered Naina but did not recover Maria and also did not record her

statement under section 164 of Cr.P.C. Police registered the case, vide FIR No. 567/18 under

section 365-B of the Pakistan Penal Code only for Naina’s abduction while Maria still remained

in the custody of Kashif.

Tahira Bibi and Ashraf Masih approached CLAAS on October 08, 2018 for Maria’s recovery

from Kashif and also requested to have shelter support for Naina as she was under life threat

from Kashif and others.

CLAAS recorded Naina’ statement and also accommodated her at shelter home.

Without any delay, CLAAS moved an application before the CCPO for the recovery of Maria and

also filed a petition under section 22-A and 22-B for the registration of an FIR against Kashif for

Maria’s abduction. The police was reluctant to give the copy of FIR as they had not enter any

raid in their record and resultantly, only Naina was recovered but they did not recover Maria

intentionally. To hide this fact, police did not cooperate with the victim party and did not submit

any comments in the court. CLAAS also filed a habeas corpus petition for the recovery of Maria.

The police pressurized Maria’s family to withdraw their case and subsequently, they decided to

withdraw the case and asked CLAAS to stop pursuing the case.



4- Bushra Vs Ghulam Rasool

Bushra Bibi, wife of Bawar (40), resident of Asif

Town, Lahore, approached CLAAS for legal

assistance regarding their daughter Alia (17),a

victim of forced conversion and forced marriage.

Mst. Bushra Bibi, mother of Alia Bibi, shared with

CLAAS that Alia was kidnapped in July 2018

from her house when Bushra and Bawar were

out for their respective jobs. When they came

back to their house, were informed by some eye

witness, that one (accused) Ghulam Rasool s/o

Rung Shah had kidnapped their daughter Alia for

bad purposes. Bawar, got registered an FIR

No.1104 under section 496-A of Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 at police station Nishter Colony,

Lahore. Althoughpolice registered a case against Ghulam Rasool under the charge of

abduction, but they did not help Bushra Bibi to recover Alia from Ghulam Rasool’s custody after

knowing that she had converted to Islam and had been taken to Pattoki.Knowing this, Bushra

and her husband Bawar went to Pattoki to meet their daughter Alia but were not allowed to do

so. They filed a habeas corpus petition for Alia’s recovery. Aila was recovered through court

bailiff and was produced before the concerned honorable court along with Ghulam Rasool,

abductor, and his companions. In the presence of abductor, concerned judge recorded her

statement which was against her parents and in favor of the abductor. After her statement, Alia

was allowed to go with Ghulam Rasool instead of her parents. After Alia’s statement, police

canceled the FIR which was registered on the complaint of Alia’s father.

On October 25, 2018, Bushra Bibi (Alia’s mother) approached CLAAS for legal help. In

persuasion of Bushra’s grievance, a writ petition vide bearing No. 248516/18, was filed in

Lahore High Court Lahore on November 12, 2018 on behalf of Bushra Bibi for the recovery of

her daughter Alia.

On November 16, 2018, the petitioner, Mst, Bushra Bibi, received a phone call from the office of

Superintendent of police of Garden Town Division, for her personal appearance and ofher

husband Bawar Masih, for a forced compromise with the accused party.

On November 20, 2018, parties were present in court wherein the statement of the detenue Alia

was recorded where Alia straightway refused to go with her parents and vividly accepted the

accused Ghulam Rasool as her lawful husband.



Cases of Free Will Marriage

1- Samra Vs Asim

Samra (20) got engaged in 2015 with her maternal cousin Asim Javaidwith the consent of both

families, but later on, due to some clashes between the families, her parents, called off the

engagement. Samra stayed in contact with Asim even after that, as she was emotionally

involved with him and wanted to marry him. Both decided got married without the consent of

their families on August 02, 2017 and Asim brought Samra to his parents’ house. Samra’s

parents did not accept her marriage.

After a few months of happy marriage, Asim

used to beat Samra on small petty issues and

his parents were also not treating her well. She

was also not allowed to meet her parents.

Meanwhile, Samra became pregnant but Asim

forced her to abort the child. After this brutal act,

Samra left Asim’s house on January 28, 2018

and went to her parent’s home. They

approached CLAAS on March 01, 2018 for legal

assistance and shelter support for Samra.

CLAAS provided shelter support and legal

assistance to Samra by filing two cases, one for

registration of a criminal case against her husband for killing her child and secondly a suit for

dissolution of marriage. CLAAS also conducted various counseling sessions with Samra and

her parents to convince them to forgive Samra and allow her to live with them at their home.

Resultantly, they took her back and also accepted her marriage. Later on, a compromise

coincided between Samra and her husband and they are living happy now.

2- Warsha Vs Shoaib

Warsha 24, d/o Sohail Anjum got married with

Shoaib on July 29, 2016 with her freewill and

has seven months old son Nawab. Previously,

seven years ago (in 2011), Warsha got

engaged with Zahid s/o Samuel Masih by her

parents. Zahid had friendship with one Sohaib

(26), son of Barkat Masih, who was living at the

same area where Warsha was living. Warsha

came to know that Shoaib was interested in her,

which developedsome misunderstanding

between Warsha andZahid, and subsequently

their engagement broke up. Warsha became

very upset because of all this. At this point, Shoaib persuaded Warsha and eventually



developed a love bound with her.He started blackmailing her of dire consequence if she would

not marry him. Due to this behavior of Shoaib, Warsha’s parents were not happy with this

marriage.Warsha married Shoiab of her free will after returning from Dubai where she used to

work for the last two years. After few months of marriage, Shoaib started beating Warsha, took

all her financial deposits and gold ornaments .Warsha also got to know that Shoaib was an

addict.Due to this financial crisis, quarrel started between them and Shoaib started to torture her

physically and mentally. Warsha was also forced to develop illegal contacts with other unknown

for money. Warsha bore all this cruelty just for the sake of her son and she also had no support

from her parents because of her freewill marriage. She left her husband’s home and

permanently came at her parents’ home. Her parents approached CLAAS for legal assistance

and for shelter support for Warsha as she was under life threat from Shoaib.

CLAAS provided shelter support to Warsha and her minor son at CLAAS shelter home.On

behalf of Warsha, a suit for dissolution of marriage was filed on May 17 2018in the court of Civil

Judge Family Court Lahore. A case for the registration of a criminal case against Shoaib was

also filed on behalf of Warsha in the court of Sessions Judge Lahore and petition was disposed

off in favor of Warsha. Warsha was scared about her minor son Nawab as she did not want to

gave his custody to her husband and wanted to take permanent custody of her son, therefore a

petition for guardianship of minor was also filed on her behalf in the Guardian court, in which

Sohaib was restrained from snatching minor from her mother. Suit for dissolution of marriage

and guardian petition were under proceedings when Shoaib contacted Warsha and

compromised in the court on September 05, 2018.

3-Rubi Vs Dawood

Rubi (40), wife of Ashfaq Masih (45) is a resident of a village in Lahore. She worked as a sales

woman while Ashfaq worked as a cleaner in a private construction company. Rubi is mother of 5

namely Akash 22 years old, married, Amaan

21, Komal 19, Rakhal 18 and Minahil 16-

years old. Minahil was studying in 9th class.

Since 2016, Minahil (Rubi’s daughter)

developed a love affair with her neighbor

Dawood (18), a Christian by faith, who

worked as a cleaner in a private company.

Rubi and Ashfaq were against Dawood due to

his bad reputation. In September 2018,

Dawood raped a Christian girl Sumaira and in

October 2018, he got married with Sumaira

due to her family’s pressure otherwise they

wanted to register a rape case against Dawood. Minahil got to know all this, but she did not

refrain talking with Dawood. On September 26, 2018, Ruby found Minahil missing. She

immediately went to Dawood home but Minahil was not there. Dawood’s mother Sardara and

her husband Javed confirmed that Minahil was with Dawood and they assured her to return

Minahil. Rubi tried to contact Minahil on her mobile but it was switched off. Next day, Dawood’s



mother shared a photocopy of Minhail’s contract /Nikha and conversion certificate with Ruby.

After reviwing all the documents, Rubi got to know that they were fake documents as false dates

had been inserted there. Dawood was also already married, so he could not marry Minahil

without divorcing his first wife. They both converted into Islam and got married under the Islamic

rites.Rubi tried to get back her daughters’ custody but failed. On October 06, 2018, Rubi

submitted an application of her daughter missing from the last many days, but no case was

registered as Minahil had converted into Islam and according to police, now she was a Muslim

girl.

On October 25, 2018, Rubi approached CLAAS for legal help for her daughter’s recovery.

CLAAS, through its legal advisor, filed a habeas corpus petition on behalf of Rubi in the court of

Sessions Judge Lahore for the recovery of her daughter Minahil. Police produced Minahil in the

court. Dawood along with his lawyer was also present. Minahil stated that she wanted to go

back with her husband. The court allowed her to go with her husband and disposed off the

petition accordingly.

4-Shanza Vs TheState

Munir Masih (56), a resident of Muzaffar

Garh,was working as a farmer in the village, but

due to some health problems, he hadto abandon

his work. He has 08 children. His son Emmanuel

31 was working as a mason in Multan and was

residing there due to his work. Emmaneuel

developed a love affair with a Muslim girl Shanza

Nawaz (18) which resulted into their marriage on

October 16, 2018. The marriage took place

according to the Muslim law because Emmanuel

converted into Islam.Shanza’s father,

Muhammad Nawaz, registered a case vide FIR.

No. 474/18, under section 365-B PPC (of the Pakistan Penal Code) at police station Sadar,

District Sargodha, against Emmanuel, his real brother Zafar Masih and an unknown person with

the allegation of abducting and raping his daughter.

On October 26, 2018, Muhammad Nawaz along with fifty assailants attacked at Munir’s House

at Muzaffar Garh and asked for the whereabouts of Emmanuel and Shanza. Emmanuel, Zafar

and Aslam (brothers of Emmanual) were arrested by the Sargodha police and were sent into

judicial lockup at Sargodha Jail.

On December 12 2018, Shanza herself submitted an application to the concerned area

Magistrate for seeking her temporary lodgment in the Dar Ul Amaan (government detention

center for women), and the same was accepted.

Shanza’s mother; Sobia Nawaz was informed by the investigation officer of the case about the

detention of Shanza in Dar Ul Amaan in Kasur. Sobia Nawaz, applying a trick and making a



dramatic move, submitted an application in the court of Magistrate, District Kasur, for shelter at

Dar Ul Amaan where Shanza was already settled. Sobia was allowed to live in Dar Ul Amaan.

Sobia started persuading Shanza for changing her statement in favor of her parents and against

her husband. However, Shanza stood firm step on her contention that she had lawfully married

with Aman Ullah (Emmanuel).

On December 20 2018, investigating officer instantly came forward, elating the circle of his

investigation and tried to get the custody of Shanza. To this effort, he moved an application in

the court of Judicial Magistrate at Kasur. The learned magistrate dismissed the application. On

January 03 2019, the learned Judicial Magistrate finally heard the arguments of the parties,

accepted the contentions of the CLAAS lawyer and recorded the Shanza’s statement U/S 164,

Cr.P.C and rejected the plea of the complainant and the police. Shanza, in her statement, gave

a positive and candid narration about her marriage with Aman Ullah (Emmanuel) in accordance

with her free will and consent. All accused under arrest, Emmanuel, Zafar and Aslam (brothers)

are innocent in this case.

However, her statement was cancelled and custody of Shanza was handed over to her parents.

Rape Cases:

1- Farzana Vs Shoukat

Sana(13)d/o Shaukat Masih is a Christian by

faith and has 6 siblings. Gulshan (20) married,

Muqdas (14), Praim (12), and Sania (10) are

real siblings; Abid (6) and Aliza (04) are step

siblings. Sana’s real mother had expired in

2014 and his father got married second time

with one Farzana Bibi (28). Sana’s father is a

man of sex maniac who used tosexually harass

her daughters.The girl’s tried hard to avoid him

and also could not disclose about her father’s

behavior to anyone. Once, Shaukat raped his

daughter in the presence of her step mother

Farzana. Farzana tried to inform the local police but failed because of the fear of Shoukat. In

September 2018, Farzana shared the whole matter with Shaukat’s uncle, who was living in

Kasur. He brought Farzana at CLAAS office while the other children were in the custody of their

father. When Shaukat was informed that Farzana had tried to register a rape case against him

through CLAAS, he escaped away and left his daughters alone. On September 21 2018, all

siblings with their step mother Farzana were accommodated at shelter home “Apna Ghar”.

CLAAS submitted an application against Shoukat Masih in the police station Nishter Colony

Lahore. On September 25 2018, accused Shoukat was arrested and a rape case was registered

against him under offence section 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code. During the police

investigation, Shaukat was declared guilty. With the efforts of CLAAS, the accused is behind the



bar and all children lived in CLAAS shelter home till December 2018. CLAAS arranged skills

training for Sana and Muqdas, while minor three children were going to school.

After the arrest of Shoukat Masih, the family

members of his family, started approaching

CLAAS and showed their wish to get their

children back. CLAAS being a welfare

organization was most concerned about the

future of the children, so Mr. M.A. Joseph

Francis, National Director CLAAS adopted all

legal procedures to taking back the custody of

the children. The maternal and paternal

relatives from both the side assured CLAAS to

take care of the children, then, the said children

were handed over to them through court order.

After getting custody of children, the elders of their family convinced Sana Bibi to give statement

in favor of her father Shoukat Masih in his bail application. On the statement of Sana

Bibi,Shoukat’s bail was accepted by the court and now he is out of jail.

CLAAS is of the opinion that it is the tragedy of our society where the voices of minor and poor

girls are snubbed because of the family traditions and customs. CLAAS tried its best with good

intention to provide justice to a rape victim, but failed due to all family pressures asserted on

rape victim.

2- Saba Vs Sahil

Saba Bibi, aged 24, one of the three

daughters of Aslam Masih, passed

matriculation examination and used to teach

Class 5th in a local school.situated at chak, no

8, Mehboob Town, District Faisalabad. Her

sister Elishbah also taught in the same

school. Misery started with Sabah Bibi on

20.1.2018, when she was busy in teaching

attentively to the class, when she was called

at admin office of the school, where one of

her relatives, Shakeel Masih (accused) was

there informing her for a definite arrangement of Government services in education department.

In this connection, she went with Shakeel after getting permission from head mistress of the

school. On the way, Sabah Bibi noted that other accused; Sahil Arseen, Gulfam Nasir,

Emmanual Masih and Shabbir Boota were already present there. Sabah was abducted to

Lahore. Sheraised hue and cries but the accused threatened her of dire consequences.

Sabahwas detained in a house, situated in the precinct of Green Town, Lahore, where she was

subjected to repeated rape. On 21/22 January 2018, accused managed nika/marriage with



Sabah Bibi on the basis of fraud and without free will of Sabah. Pastor Robin Manzoor of united

Pentecostal Church of Green Town also proved to be an accomplice in crime along with other

accused.

On 4th April 2018, Sabah got a chance to flee from the clutches of the accused and reached her

home. Her brother, Suleman Aslam got registered an FIR no. 284/18, under section 376, PPC

at Police station Nishatabad, District Faisalabad, against the accused. The police did not include

the names of all the accused as nominated in the written complaint. The investigating officer got

Sabah Bibi medically examined and the same was found positive to the plea and claim of Sabah

Bibi. The Investigation Officer changed the course of investigation, exonerating all the accused

from the crime, illegally and unlawfully.

Subsequent to this, Sabah Bibi escaped from her home district, Faisalabad, feeling afraid of the

boldness and rashness of the accused, putting extreme pressure on Sabah and her family

members. On 12th September 2018, Sabah approached CLAAS along with her parents for legal

assistance and shelter support. Sabah was accommodated at CLAAS shelter home.

A private complaint U/S 200, Cr.P.C, under the offence of section 376 of the Pakistan Penal

Code, was also filed and the same is pending in the court of Additional Sessions Judge Lahore.

3- Ghazal Vs theState

Ghazal (30) d/o Younis Masih was abducted and gang-raped by four men, among them Ashraf

Masih and Pervaz Masih were prominent and

nominated in the FIR no. 501/18, under

section 376/109/34 A of PPC, registered at

police station Khanna, District Islamabad.

Concisely stated facts giving rise to the

instant FIR are that Ghazal was engaged with

Ashraf Masih but after some times, it was

transpired to Ghazal that Ashraf Masih had

already solemnized four marriages with four

different ladies fraudulently and clandestinely.

Ghazal agitated thereon and disengaged in

its protests from Arshad Masih in a family

meeting. Arshad Masih, got infuriated, and

decided to take revenge.Since Arshad Masih pretended during the period of engagement that

he was a Pastor and a teacher in a medical hospital, but later on, it was disclosed that he was

not a pastor, but a sheer janitorial worker in the hospital. One day, Ghazal and her sister went to

his house for a service prayer where Arshad’s sister revealed the facts of his previous

marriages and destroyed the lives of those girls. Ghazal was coming from hospital on 5th

September, 2018 after she had completed her duty, was intercepted by Arshad Masih and

Pervaze Masih along with two unknown culprits. All the four assailants committed gang rape

with Ghazal. The accused boastfully confessed their crime in persuasion of their reprisal on

Ghazal’s decision of refusing marriage with Arshad. The accomplice fled the crime scene,



leaving behind Ghazal in rages and dejection. Ghazal made a written complaint to Khannah

Police station but the police did not lodge any FIR.On 6th September 2018, Ghazal and her

mother again went to Kannah police station for registration of FIR but the police took Ghazal to

hospital simply for medication but not for getting her medically checked up because police had

not submitted any application to the doctors for her check-up. Ghazal and her mother protested

over it and requested the police for medically check-up of the victim but the police remained

silent over it. On 20th September 2018, Arshad along with some persons went to Ghazal’s home

town Narowal and threatened her parents. On 22nd September 2018, Arshad put an petition U/S

22A and 22B of criminal procedure code alleging that Ghazal had stolen the gold necklace set

which he gave her as a gift. On 27th September 2018, SHO called both the parties and

suggested them to compromise with each other. But Ghazal refused. On 29th September 2018,

police cancelled the FIR and closed the case.

Ghazal contacted CLAASon 21st November 2018 for legal help. CLAAS filed a private

complaint against the above-named accused in the court of Sessions Judge Islamabad. Her

case is under proceedings.

STATE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN PAKISTAN

Domestic violence in Pakistan is

an endemic social and public

health problem. According to a

study carried out in 2009 by

Human Rights Watch, it is

estimated that between 20 and

30 percent of women in Pakistan

have suffered some form of

abuse. In Pakistan, though some

cultures and social systems,

consider women as their sign of

honour and respect and at the

same time, they restrict women

from any type of external

activities.There are many common precipitating factors in Pakistan due to which domestic

violence in Pakistan is increasing day by day. Some example are: domestic violence against

women due to daily conflicts, family related problems, disagreements between women and men

on any decision, choice preferences, conflicts of the two genders, etc. All of those factors are

quite broadly discussed in majority of studies as they are globally applicable to any social make

up. In Pakistan, there are some distinguished factors which make women prone to domestic

violence like women's low educational levels, least participations in political activities due to low

empowerment, existing misconception about Islamic thoughts and traditional norms, misuse of

women in the name of honor justifying honor killing, low socioeconomic levels and poverty,

existence of unjust traditional dowry system in the society, the common beliefs in the inherent

superiority of males ignoring the women's autonomy, and even the alcoholic addiction of men

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Rights_Watch



which is not even allowed in Islam. Low educational level of women, Poverty, Dowry system,

Low empowerment and autonomy of women, Substance abuse and alcoholic addictions of

intimate partners, Measures to prevent and control domestic violence Public health interventions

for domestic violence can be given through three traditionally characterized levels of prevention.

Primary prevention in which certain steps are taken to prevent violence before it occurs. This

may include awareness programs both for women and other people to prevent domestic

violence. Secondary prevention which is focused more on instantaneous response to violence,

which also includes care before accessing to hospitals and emergency room care depending on

the type of violence. Nurses particularly can play the best role in the initial assessment, and

providing psychological support to patients to prevent them from psychiatric disorders such as

depression. The third type is Tertiary prevention which is focused on long-term care of the

victims, such as rehabilitation and reintegration, and measures to decrease the chances of

reoccurrence of any type of further abuse on women.

1. Rahila Vs Javed Iqbal

Raheela (30), resident of Lahore is a victim of domestic violence. She approached CLAAS for

free legal assistance. Rahila was married with Maratab Ali about 12 years ago. She had 2

children from Maratab. Due to notorious behavior of Maratab, Rahila was compelled to get

divorce from him. Later in 2010, her family arranged her second marriage with Javed Iqbal

resident of Mandi Baha ul din. Javed was already married and had 2 children from his first wife

but he had left his first wife and got married to Raheela. Both were residing in a rented house

along with Javed’s nephew. Javed was an alcoholic, who regularly brought his friends at home

and drink with them. He used to beat Rahila severely in-front of her younger children and also

forced her for illicit relations with strangers/friends. Being afraid of physical torture, she

committed this illegal nasty act to save herself. He did not even pay the house rent and house

hold bills, his nephew had been paying that. Afte eight months, Raheela left her husband’s

house and started residing at her mother’s house along with her children.

On 04th January 2018, Raheela and her mother came to CLAAS for legal assistance. On

January 06 2018, a suit for dissolution of marriage on the basis of Khula was filed on behalf of

Raheela. The notices were sent to respondent Javed’ home by the court orders and

proclamation was also published in the newspaper. After the required procedures, ex-prate (one

sided) evidence of Raheela was recorded and on February 15 2018, the case was decreed in

favor of Raheela and case was closed.

2. Kainat Vs Waseem

Kainat (23) d/o Aamir Taj belongs to a Christian family and is the resident of Essa Nagri Quetta.

Her father works as a supervisor in Quetta Metropolitan Corporation while mother is a

housewife. Kainat got engaged with one Waseem Yousaf on March 9, 2015 with her family’s

consent. Waseem was living in the US and was running his own logistics business. After

engagement, Waseem assured Kainat’s parents that he would apply a fiancé visa and later on,

will get their marriage registered in America. But in April 2016, he came back to Pakistan and



married Kainat and told her that visa processing takes a lot of time so she had to wait. Waseem

stayed with Kainat in Lahore at his parents’ house for about two weeks and went back to

America. In the meantime, Kainat got the fiancé visa for America which was valid for only six

months. Kainat went to America in June 2016, and asked Waseem to get their marriage

registered and apply a permanent residency for her, but he kept on lingering the same, stated

his financial crisis. On September 01 2016, Waseem brought Kainat back to Quetta, Pakistan

but she was not aware that her husband was deceiving her and was planning to leave her in

Pakistan forever. Later, he left Kainat alone at her parent’s home and fled to America without

informing her. Waseem did not contact Kainat afterwards. Waseem’s parents came back to

Pakistan in December 2016. Kainat met them in Lahore with her parents so that the elders

could resolve this issue and she could go back to her husband. But Waseem’s parents were

reluctant to intervene in their son’s matter and showed a cold shoulder to Kainat’s family.

Waseem contacted Kainat through his parents asking her to file a divorce. Kainat she did not

want to leave her husband and wanted to go back to America so that she could spend a good

married life.. Waseem sent divorce decree to her and the case was filed by Waseem against

Kainat and was decreed in Waseem’s favor on June 22, 2017 but Kainat was not aware of this

case. As Waseem had Kainat without her consent, she approached CLAAS in January 2018 for

legal assistance.

On behalf of Kainat, CLAAS challenged divorce’s degree and filed an application on January 08,

2018against impugned Ex-parte Judgment. Court recorded the statement of Kainat, sent notice

to respondent Waseem but he did not appear before the court till dateand the case is still under

proceedings.

On January 15, 2018, a harassment petition was filed on behalf of Kainat against Waseem in

the court of Sessions Judge Lahore. The concerned court issued order to the police station

Nisther colony (concerned area police station) about the comments. Police submitted comments

on January 19, 2018 and the petition was disposed of.

On January 17, 2018, a private complaint was also filed by CLAAS on behalf of Kainat against

her husband. Kainat’s statement was recorded and the case is still under proceedings.

3-Ridha Yaqoob Vs Nasir Masih

Rida (23), daughter of Yaqoob Masih belongs to a Christian family. Her father works in a

medicine factory while mother works as a sweeper in a private hospital. Rida got married to

Nasir Arif on November 05, 2017 with the consent of both families. Nasir worked as a tube-well

operator while Rida remained a housewife as she was not much educated. Since day one, her

husband’s behavior was not appropriate towards her. Although he earned a handsome salary

every month, still he did not provide Rida the basic necessities. He also used to beat her on

daily basis in front of his family members on minor issues. Even her in-laws also did not treat

her right; specifically her father-in-law had bad intentions towards her and often tried to harass

her even in the presence of her husband. Later on, when Rida got pregnant, her husband was

not ready to accept the child as his own, and started blaming her for extra marital relations.

Because of all this stressful situations, Rida had a miscarriage. Rida’s parents took her to their



house for a few days. Since then, her husband did not contact her. Rida tried to call him many

times for reconciliation, but Nasir did not pay any heed to it. Rida approached CLAAS on

January 29, 2018 along with her parents to seek legal assistance.

On January 30, 2018, a suit for dissolution of marriage and suit for the recovery of dowry

articles was filed on behalf of Rida Yaqoob in which notices were sent to respondent and even

proclamation in newspaper was also published but Nasir did not appear before the court and

Ridha’s statement was recorded. Later on February 28, 2018, case was decreed in her favor.

An execution petition was filed for the recovery of dowry articles of Ridha, which was contested

by defendant Nasir and also filed an application against the divorce degree.

4. Rahila Vs Shakeel Yousaf

Raheela Kiran (26) d/o Younas Dominick, resident of Shahdara, Lahore is a Christian by faith.

She got married to Shakeel Yousaf on January 02, 2016 with her parents’ consent and moved

into a joint family system with her in-laws. Shakeel often had to stay out of town due to his work

during weekdays. The first few months of her marriage were cordial until the birth of her first

child in October 2016. Raheela’s husband and in-laws demanded Rahila to give her first child to

Shakeel’s elder brother as he had no children even after so many years of marriage. But

Raheela was reluctant to give away her first child to anyone else. This created a tense situation

in the house as Shakeel was also supporting his family and Raheela felt cornered and lonely.

She contacted her parents to intervene into this matter, which worsened the circumstances

further. Afterwards, Shakeel changed his attitude towards Raheela and would often torture her

physically and mentally on petty issues. Therefore, Raheela moved to her parents’ house

hoping that soon the situation will be settled down. Ever since Raheela came to her parents’

house, her husband did not bother to contact her. Later on, Raheela came to know that Shakeel

had applied for a divorce without informing her which was decreed in his favor on June 23,

2017. Rahila contested the ex-parte judgment and divorce decree acquired by her husband by

moving an application in the court which was accepted on October 10, 2017. Further on

December 08, 2017, Raheela recorded her statement in the court that she wanted to reconcile

with her husband but Shakeel along with some witnesses, once again leveled severe

allegations upon her character without having any proof, due to which, Raheela faced great

insult as it ruined her reputation. Raheela approached CLAAS on February 06, 2018 to file a suit

for recovery of defamation charges. CLAAS filed the suit in the court of Civil Judge Lahore

which is under proceedings.

5. Roma Vs Nasir

Roma (34) d/o Din Masih, resident of Gulberg III, Lahore is a Christian by faith. Her father

worked as a sweeper in a government hospital and is retired now while mother works as a

private nurse. Roma got married to Nasir Masih on December 03, 2003 with her parents’

consent. Roma has three children namely Eva (15), Lewis (14) and John (10). Since day one of

their marriage, Nasir did not have a proper job as he was also an alcoholic and did not bother to

provide even the basic necessities to his wife and children. Whenever Roma asked him to give

money for household expenditures, he would beat her severely and blame her of having extra



marital relations with his friends. Often her parents and in-laws would support her financially for

monthly expenses. After 10 years of marriage, Roma had to move out of their house and live

separately on rent thinking that Nasir would realize the responsibilities of his wife and children,

but no avail. Since the past three years, Roma has been living at her parents’ house along with

her children and Nasir did not bother to contact her. She approached CLAAS on February 22,

2018 to seek legal assistance. CLAAS filed a suit for dissolution of marriage in which notices

were sent to respondent but he did not appear before the court and the case was decreed in

favor of Roma.

6. Sara Vs Fazal

Saira (26) d/o Khuda Basksh, resident of District Kasur, is a Christian by faith. She got married

to her paternal cousin Fazal Bashir in 2012 with the consent of her family. Fazal had two

younger siblings and parents and Saira had to take care of the entire family after marriage.

Fazal worked as a public van driver and earned enough to support his family but since he was

an alcoholic and had extra marital affairs, he did not take care of his family. Saira stayed with

her in-laws for only 8 months and afterwards they asked Fazal to live with his wife in a separate

house. Saira and her husband started living on rent and sometimes she had to move to her

parents’ house when Fazal would not pay the house rent. Saira was blessed with a baby boy

named Frank in 2016, but due to Fazal’s careless attitude, she had to shift to her parents’ house

with her minor son. It has now been 8 months that she is living with her parents, but Fazal did

not bother to visit her. Saira came to know that Fazal eloped with his sister’s sister-in-law and

married her under Islamic rites. Later on, the girl’s family registered a case of abduction against

Fazal and was pressurizing Saira to record her statement in front of the police against Fazal.

Now, Saira did not want to live with Fazal and wanted a proper divorce. Meanwhile, she had

started working in a garments factory to support herself and her minor. Saira approached

CLAAS on April 18, 2018 to seek legal assistance. CLAAS filed a suit for dissolution of marriage

in the court of Civil Judge Family Court Lahore. The notices were sent to respondent by the

court orders but he did not appear before the court and after Saira’s statement, case was

decreed in favor of Saira.

7. Saima Bibi Vs Faraz Tariq

Saima (34) d/o Rafiqu Masih (Late) is resident of Youhanabad Stop, Lahore. She works as a

beautician in Gulberg. On October 01, 2006, she got married to her cousin Faraz Tariq 35 s/o

Tariq Masih with the consent of both families.The couple was blessed with 3 children, Horab 11

years old, Faith 09 years and Matthew 05 years old. Faraz owned few shopsand collected

monthly rent from there, so he would not have to work anymore. Saima also continued her job

after marriage. After two years of their marriage, Saimacame to know that Faraz was a drug

addict and he stopped fulfilling his responsibilities towards his family. He also started to sell his

shops and subsequently lost all his belongings. He also used to beat Saima habitually and also

snatched her salary from her. Saima shared the whole situation with her parents who supported

her, but after their death, it became much difficult for her to survive there. She also tried to save

Faraz’s life from drugs and in 2015, she got him admitted in“Nida and Nijat Clinic”, a



rehabilitation centre for his treatment. But Faraz did not cooperate with her and ran away from

the clinic.Now the situation became worst for Saima as her in–laws were also not supporting

her. On April 11, 2018, she left her husband’s house with her children and started living in a

rented house and bore all her expenditures by her

own. After few days, Faraz found saima’s new

address and started visiting her routinely but he did

not change his behavior, rather Saima and her

children remained under continuous threat of life

from him. Once, Faraz tried to kill Saima, but

somehow, she managed to save herself. Finally,

she decided to get divorce from him. She came to

know about CLAAS through some resources, and

on May 22, 2018, she approached CLAAS for free

legal assistance. On May 26, 2018, a suit for

dissolution of marriage and suit for the recovery of dowry articles was filed on behalf of Saima in

the court of Civil Judge Lahore. On June 06, 2018, Saima informed CLAAS that her husband

had snatched her children from her after giving harsh beating to her. CLAAS filed a habeas

corpus petition in the court of Sessions Judge Lahore for the recovery of her children. The

children were recovered through police by the court order and their custody was handed over to

Saima. Whereas in the other two cases i.e. suit for dissolution of marriage and dowry articles

remained under court proceedings for evidence of Siama. After five months of court

proceedings, a compromisesettled between both the parties and now she is living happily with

her family.

8. Rehana Bibi Vs Gulzar Masih

Rehana (28), got married withGulzar (33), a resident of Kasur and working as sweeper in a

nearby factory. It was an arranged marriage with the consent of both the families.The first two

months of marriage were pleasant, while later on, Gulzar and his family started quarreling with

her on minor domestic issues. Gulzar also starting beating Rehana brutally in the presence of

his family but no one tried to stop him.Meanwhile, the couple was blessed with two children,

Rachael 03 years old and Roman 09 months, but her husband’s and in-laws did not change

their behavior. Gulzar also did not maintain properly his children and did not provide basic

needs. Rehana was also not allowed to call her family members. Once, when, Rehana tried to

contact her brother Akram, through some neighbor, she was brutally beaten by her in-laws.

.Akram went to Rehana’s house but Gulzar misbehaved with him and threatened him for dire

consequences, if he would try to involve in their personal matter. The situation became worst for

Rehana and on May 02, 2018, she left her husband’s house and shifted to her brother’s house.

Rehana approached CLAASon February 23, 2018 for legal help. CLAAS filed three cases in the

court of family judge Lahore including a suit for dissolution of marriage, a suit for maintenance

allowance for her children and a suit for dowry articles.All cases are under proceedings.



9. Shaista Caroline Davis Vs Public at Large

Shaista Afzal (49) is a resident of Defence, Lahore. On April 17, 1998, she got married to

Charles. It was an arranged marriage with the consent of both families. Charles was a

businessman while Shaista was a teacher by profession. They have two children, Haroon 18

years and Harm 10 years old. Shaista’s married life was smooth till 2011, and then she came to

know that her husband had taken a big amount as loan from different banks, influential persons

and organizations. These people started following Shaista and the children to return money.

Shaista’s parents had to return his husband’s loan and Shaista’s salary was also spent in

returning the loan and household expenses. On June 22 2015, her husband Charles asked her

to shift at her parent’s house with children for few days but he never contacted her wife and

children. Shaista decided to leave her husband due toall this situation because he had cheated

on her at every step. On November 30, 2015, she approached CLAAS for legal assistance. On

December 2, 2015, a suit for dissolution of marriage was filed in the court of Civil Judge Lahore

which was decreed in her favor. On June 20, 2018, Shaista again approached CLAAS regarding

the custody of her son and on June 21, 2018, a petition for permanent custody of minor was

filed in which notices were sent to respondent Charles and even proclamation was also

published in the newspaper but he did not appear before the court and Shaista recorded her

statement and the case was decided in her favor.

10. Nazia Bibi Vs Baber Iqbal

Nazia 37 w/o Babar Iqbal is a resident of Workshop

Stop, Lahore. She is a teacher in Beacon house

Schoolwhile her husband Babar Iqbal was a chef

by professional.Nazia got married to her cousin

Babar Iqbal (43) on November 07, 1999. She was

living in a joint family system. Five months of

marriage were good and later on, Babar and his

family changed their attitude towards Nazia. Baber

also left his job as he was not interested to earn

money. He used to beat Nazia brutally and tortured

her physically also.Baber was also a habitual drug

addict and had developed illicit relations with other women also.The couple was blessed with 03

children, but Babar and his family did not change their attitude. Under all these circumstances, it

was much difficult for Nazia to manage her children’s expenditures.She started teaching in a

nearby private school but even then, Babar tried to snatch all her income. After sometimes,

Babar managed to go to Dubai along withfamily and started working as chef there. In Dubai,

Babar misbehaved with a woman who was working as a maid at his work place. On

hercomplaint, he was deported and came back to Pakistan. In 2016, Babar got asylum in

Holland and started to supply drug there. He was deported from there also. In Pakistan, he

started taking drugs, and one day, when he was drunk, he tried to kill his elder son Ramis.

Nazia registered a complaint against him but all in vain. Meanwhile, Nazia had been promoted

as a senior teacher and she joined Beacon House School System in Lahore and starting



earning an handsome amount for her and her children.On June 16, 2018, Babar, along with his

mother and his brotherbrutally beat Nazia. Nazia along with her children left his house and

started living in a rented house at Walton. She decided to get divorce from Baber as he is not

loyal with her and her children. She approached CLAAS on July 06, 2018 for legal help.CLAAS

filed a suit for dissolution of marriage in the court of family judge Lahore and the case was

decided in her favor.

11. Christina Marriam Vs Ishfaq Masih

On November 21, 2010, Mariam got married

with Ishfaq Mushtaq (30). It was an arrange

marriage with the consent of both the families

and started living in a joint family system.

Ishfaq was a driver by profession. After some

times of marriage, Ishfaq’s attitude changed

towards Marriam and he started beating her

on minor domestic issues. Merriam’s in-laws

behavior was also not good towards her.

Meanwhile, the couple was blessed with two

children. After sometimes, Ishfaq planned to

go to Saudi Arab through a travel agency, as

a driver, and he needed some money for

traveling. He demanded Rs. 100.000/-(one hundred thousand only) from Mariam, that she

managed somehow. In 2016, Ishfaq went to Saudi Arab, while Mariam started living with her in-

laws along with her two children. During the course of time, Ishfaq didnot contact Mariam,

whereas he remained in contact with his parents and also did not provide any maintenance

allowance for their children. Seeing all this situation, Mariam left the home of Ishfaq’s parents

and started living with her parents.Mariam often tried to contact Ishfaq but failed. Her in-laws

also tried to snatch her children from her. Mariam wanted to file a suit for the recovery of

maintenance allowance for her children and suit for the recovery of dowry articles. She

contacted CLAAS for legal assistance. Both suits were filed by CLAAS in the court of Civil

Judge Family Court Lahore through CLAAS.Her husband approached her for compromise, but

she was not ready for compromise and still her case is under proceedings.

12. Alia Pervaiz Vs Shahzad

Alia Pervaiz, aged 22, resident of Asif Town, Lahore is married women and has two children

who are minors. Alia is a victim of domestic violence. She shared that she got married to

Shahzad aged 32on February 09, 2014with their family consent. After marriage, Alia got to

know that Shahzad was not doing any job. Shahzad’s behavior was also not good towards Alia.

He also used to beat Alia on petty issues. His parent’s attitude was also not good towards Alia.

Alia’s parent bore all expenditures. After sometimes, Alia had to leave his house due to their

rude behavior and she came at her parents’ home. Alia started stitching & sweing while living at

parent’s house for earning her livelihood with the support of CLAAS in March 2017. At present



Alia is expecting with third child and Shahzad tortured her physically and sexually and blamed

that it is not his child. Alia asked him for DNA of the baby and she compromised with him but all

in vain. On July 21 2018, Shahzad gave harsh beating to Alia on minor domestic issue and

snatched children from her and asked her to

leave his house. Alia approached CLAAS on

July 24, 2018 for the custody of her children.

Alia’s children were recovered from her

husband through CLAAS legal aid cell and their

custody was handed over to her with the court

orders. After that, CLAAS filed three cases on

her behalf in the court of Civil Judge Family

Court Lahore including the suit for dissolution of

marriage, suit for the recovery of maintenance

allowance and suit for the recovery of dowry

articles. All suits were under proceedings, when

in October 2018, Shahzad approached CLAAS for compromise. Shahzad assured that he would

take all his responsibilities seriously.Through intervention of CLAAS, counseling sessions were

conducted ith both the families but still the matter is pending for compromise as Alia is not ready

for compromise till the birth of her third child.

13. Saira Bhatti Vs Pervaiz Barkat

Saira (39) is a victim of domestic violence who approached CLAAS in July 2018, when she was

pregnant and her husband divorced her without any reason.According to Saira,she is a staff

nurse by profession. On December 13 2012,

she got married with Pervaiz Barket (68) with

her family consent and she left her job of

nursing. Pervaiz Barkat was in-charge pastor

of Mission King Survivor and running a Church

in Bahar Colony Lahore. It was second

marriage of both Saira and Pervaiz as Saira

had divorced her first husband while Pervaiz’s

first wife had died leaving behind Children

Zuhara (44), Zahid (40) and Zeeshan (36) and

all are married. Few months of marriage were

good, later on; Saira faced troubles as

Parvaiz’s children did not accept Saira as their step mother. They provoked Pervaiz against

Saira to divorce her. Saira wanted to have a baby but Pervaiz did not agree for having a child

from her. In 2015, Saira became pregnant but Pervaiz tortured her brutally and she had a

miscarriage. Saira adopted her brother’s daughter Maira (06) and compromised with the

situation. In 2016, Pervaiz filed a suit for Dissolution of Marriage under Section 10 of the

Christian Divorce Act 1869 while concealing the facts from the court that he was still living with

Saira. He did not disclose this fact to Saira and had been living as husband and wife and he

used to pay marital obligations and with the blessing of God she got pregnant in February 2018.



But Pervaiz and his children did not mend his ways and their behavior was not changed towards

Saira. Saira did not knew divorce case which was filed by her husband Pervaiz against her. On

July 11 2018, Pervaiz left Saira at her brother’s house, while she was five months pregnant.

Pervaiz disclosed to Saira and her brother about divorce and gave her divorce decreed paper.

Saira was astonished and after some time she went to Pervaiz’s house and tried to enter in his

house but he and his children severely beat Saira .She came back to her brother’s home and

her brother took her at CLAAS office for legal proceedings. On August 30, 2018, CLAAS filed a

petition to register the criminal case against Pervaiz Barkat. CLAAS also filed a suit for dowry

article and maintenance allowance on behalf of Saira. While the cases were under

proceedings, respondent Pervaiz Barkat approached CLAAS on September 11, 2018 for

compromise.On September 15 2018, a compromise took place between the parties and later on

all cases were withdrawn from the court.

14. Faisal Vs SHO Kot Lakhpat

Hina, a victim of domestic violence, approached

CLAAS on August 06, 2018 for legal assistance.

According to Hina, she got married with Faisal in

November 2011. The first three months of

marriage were pleasant for Hina, and later on,

Faisal started beating Hina physically and

mentally. The attitude of her in-laws was also not

good towards her especially her father in-law

always disgraced her and even beat her. Hina

bore all cruelty just for the sake of her two

children. The situation became worst for Hina,

when on July 12, 2018,her father in-law sexually

abused her and also beat her severely in the absence of Faisal. Faisal and her in-laws also beat

her and snatched her children from her. Hina went to her parents’ home. After 12 days of the

incident i.e. On July 24, 2018, Faisal moved an application against Hina and her family

members in the concerned police station at Kot-Lakhpat Lahore for the registration of theft case

against Hina, her sister Shaheen, mother Rani Bibi and her brother Shazaib. He blamed that

Hina and others had stolen gold ornaments etc. from Faisal’s home. Later on July 28, 2018,

Faisal also filed a petition for the registration of FIR against Hina’s family members in the court

of Additional Sessions Judge Lahore. CLAAS contested this case on behalf of Hina on August

16, 2018. On August 30, 2018, with the intervention of CLAAS, Faisal withdrew the fake cases

against Hina and a compromise took place between Hina and her husband

15. Chanda Vs Nakash Javed

Chandda d/o Ashraf Masih got married with Naqash with the consent of her parents on

November 16th2012. After only one month of the marriage, Nakash behavior was changed

towards Chanda. He started beating Chanda on minor domestic issues, and often, threw her out

of house. She was blessed with three children. Her in-laws behavior was also not good towards



Chandda.She started working as maid to fulfill the needs of her children as it was difficult for her

family to bear all her expenditures. On August 8th 2018, Chandda approached CLAAS for legal

assistance regarding her divorce matter. On September 7th 2018, a petition for dissolution of

marriage on behalf of Chandda was fled in the court of Civil Judge Family Court Gujranwala and

still case is under proceedings.

16. Aster Vs Robert Masih

Aster (30) is a resident of Francis Abad, Nadar colony, Gujranwala. On October 26 2006, she

got married to Robert Masih (35), a resident of Francis Abad, Gujranwala. After two months of

marriage, Robertstarted torturing Aster physically and mentally on minor domestic issues. After

one year, the couple was blessed with one son Baish. When Baish became 05 years old, Aster

took her son’s responsibility of pick and drop from school. One day, when Aster was on her way

to school, adrunken stranger stopped her and forced her to go with him presuming him as his

sister in-law’s relative. Aster started shouting and people gathered there for her help. When

Robert and his parents got to know about this incident, they started her character assassination

on the pretext of her undue relations with that stranger man. In July 2017, Robert tried to kill

Aster, which, she managed to escape and started living with her widow mother, while her 12

years son was living with Robert and was not allowed to meet her.Robert also threatened her of

dire consequence if she would file any case against him. On August 30 2018, Aster approached

CLAAS for legal help. On September 07, 2018,filed a suit for dissolution of marriage on behalf

of Aster in Civil court Gujranwala which is under proceedings.

17. Yasmeen Vs Tariq Masih

Yasmeen (25), resident of Patoki got married with

Tariq Masih (30) on October 102016, according to

Christian Rites. According to Yasmeen, only first

three months of marriage were pleasant for her, and

later on, her husband started quarrelling with her on

petty household matters. Tairq had also extra marital

relations with a familiar lady. Tariq was also not

doing any job. Her in-laws also used to torture her

physically and mentally.The situation become worst

for Yasmeen and she decided to leave her in-laws

house and in June 2018, shecame back to her

parents’ house. After that, no one from her in-laws,

tried to contact her, therefore, she decided to file a

divorce case against her husband.She approached

CLAAS on September 11 2018, for free legal assistance regarding her divorce case. On

September15th 2018, CLAAS filed a suit for dissolution of marriage and a suit for the recovery of

dowry articles and the case is still under proceedings.



18. Rukhsana Vs Tanvir Hussaim

Rukhsana 34 years old was abducted by her

brother in-law Tanvir Hussain who forcibly got

married with her in 2010. He abducted her when

she went to buy medicine for her nephew to

Town Ship Lahore and after that he took her to

court and did Nikah with her forcefully.

Rukhsana’s parents filed a case against Tanvir

Hussain for her recovery but at that time she

was in the custoday of her abductor Tanvir and

she refused to go with her parents. She was

blessed with three children but Tanvir’s behavior

was not good towards her. He tortured her physically and mentally. In September 2019 he

divorced her verbally and she left his home. She approached her parents and shared about the

whole cruelty of Tanvir Hussain and started living with her parents. On 18th September 2018 she

with her elder sister Rehana bibi approached CLAAS for legal assistance. CLAAS filed suit for

dissolution of marriage and suit for maintenance allowance on her behalf and both suit degreed

in her favor. After that an execution petition was filed for the recovery of maintenance and the

same was executed in her favor.

19. Shazia Vs Shahid

Shazia (28) got married to Shahid on May 06, 2017. Shahid had passed matriculation

examination and was working in a salt mine while Shazia’s education was middle and she wasa

house wife. Shahid’s family was liberal and Shazia was a simple lady. Shahid disliked her living

style and always used to criticize her. Shahid was also impotent and due to this weakness, he

used to blame Shazia for not bearing any child. Shahid and his family also started demanding

money from Shazia that her disable brother Amjad tried to arrange. Shazia left Shahid house

and started living at her parent’s house. But her elder brother Amjad forced her to compromise

with the situation and forcibly sent her back to her husband’s home. Shazia tried hard for

compromise but failed as Shahid’s greedinesshad increased day by day. Shazia approached

CLAAS for legal help. The suit for dissolution of marriage was filed on her behalf which is under

proceedings.

20. Angalina Vs Imran

Angelina 26is a victim of domestic violence. She

got married with Imran Masih on December

18th2013 with consent of her parents. After

marriage, they remained happy for almostthree

months, but after that, when Angalina got

pregnant, Imran started abusing her physically and

mentally. Angelina gave birth two daughters, but



the bad attitude of Imran towards Angelina and her daughters did not change. Angelina had to

leave Imran’s house and started living at her parents’ house. She approached CLAAS

on26thSeptember 2018 for legal assistance. CLAAS filed a petition for the recovery of

maintenance allowance and the same was decided in her favor and was executed.

21. Bushra Zahoor Vs Kashif Ijaz Gull

Bushra (32) is a resident of Makkah Colony,

Lahore. In 2008, she got married with Amjad

(35), a resident of Gulberg, Lahore. It was an

arranged marriage with the consent of both

families under the Islamic rights. After

marriage, Bushra got to know that Amjad was

a drug addict and often used to beat Bushra.

The couple blessed with three children. Amjad

also started demanding money from her

brothers. Bushra was not happy with her

marital life. One Kashif Ijaz Gull aged 35, a

married man, was Shazia’s cousin and was

living in Rawalpindi. Kashif came to know about his cousin’s Bushra marital life, he approached

her and shared that his marital life was also not pleasant and built a love relationship with

Bushra. He offered Bushra for marriage, and asked her to take divorce from her husband

Amjad. Bushra accepted his proposal and got divorce from Amjad on November 15, 2017

through HRCP. On April 10 2018, she got married to her Kashif, against dower amount

Rs.100,000/ and Kashif also constructed a house measuring 5 Marlas and gold ornaments

weighing 3 Tolas for Bushra.Kashif’s first wife Salma was unaware about their marriage. Bushra

and Kashif started living in Wah Cantt Rawalpindi. First month of marriage was pleasant, and

then Salma (wife of Kashif) came to know about his second marriage. Kashif reduced his visits

to Bushra home and his behavior also changed towards Bushra. On July 02, 2018, Bushra

received a stamp paper of divorce from Kashif. She demanded for dower amount that he

refused. After one week of divorce, Kashif again approached Bushra and shared that he is guilty

as his wife Salma forced him for divorce and he wanted to live with her again. He started

meeting Shazia again and also fulfilled all martial obligations, and then, he stopped paying a

single penny. On July 30 2018, Bushra went to her mother’s house in Makkah colony, Lahore

and started living there.

On September 27 2018, Bushra approached CLAAS for a legal help. CLAAS filed a suit for

recovery of maintenance and recovery of dower amount in family court on behalf of Bushra Bibi

and both cases were decided in her favor.

22. Fatima Vs Umar Hassan & SHO Gujar Pura Lahore

Fatima Bibi 26 d/o Khalid Javed was a Christian by faith and in July 2009, after embracing

Islam, she got married with a Muslim Ummer Hussain with her consent.At that time, she was 17

years old. According to Fatima, her real name was Sheeba but after Nikah and accepting Islam,



her name was changed to Fatima. Fatima’sparents filed a case of abduction against Ummer

and his family but the case was closed as per Fatima’s evidence that she got married with

Ummer with her freewill and no one abducted

her. Fatima had to face many hardships

during her marital life, but, she managed all

and spent nine years with her in-laws. She

was blessed with three children. The time

passed and she started visiting her parents

with the permission of her husband and in-

laws. Her parents also accepted her marriage

and forgave her. As Umar was not doing any

job, and his brotherwho was settled in

UKused to fulfill all their needs. Fatima often

requested Ummer to start working but all in

vain. This quarrel increased day by day and Fatima got upset and often tried to take divorce

from Ummer but her parents always forced her for compromise just for the sake of her children.

In October 2018, Fatima reached CLAAS for legal assistance and for her security as she was

also scared of her life from her parents and relatives as now she was a Muslim and was living

with her Christian parents who asked her to convert back to Christianity. On October 20th 2018,

CLAAS filed a harassment petition on the behalf of Fatima Bibi in Session Court Lahore which

was disposed off accordingly.

CLAAS also filed a suit for dissolution of marriageon the basis of Khula in favor of Fatima. Her

husband Ummar approached her for compromise and the same settled between them and

Fatima went back to her husband’s home and withdrew her case.

23. Rani Bibi Vs Raja Masih

Rani Bibi (20), resident of Kasur,is a victim of domestic violence, approached CLAAS on

October 26, 2018 for legal help. She shared that she was 11 years old, when her parents

arranged her marriage with one Raja Masih, who was 28 years old at that time of marriage i.e.

on November 6, 2009. Raja was a laborer and worked on daily wages. The first day of her

marriage, she came to know that her husband was already married and also had a daughter

named Sheeba who was 04 years old at that time. His first wife had died but Raja’s family did

not disclose this fact to Rani’s family. As Rani was minor, she accepted her parents’ will and

compromised with her husband. Raja was also an addict. The first six month of her

marriagepassed smoothly, but after that, Raja changed his behavior towards Rani and started

beating her on petty household matters especially whenever she ignored her step daughter

Sheeba. Rani tried hard to compromise with Raja and ignored his harsh attitude. The God

blessed them two daughters. With the passage of time, Rani realized that her husband Raja did

not take his responsibilities seriously and had stopped working on daily wages. It was much

difficult for Rani to manage the household and children’s expenditures without any income.

Rani’s in-laws also did not support her. And finally in August 2018, she left her husband’s house

and permanently shifted to her mother’s home at Kasur along with her two daughters. She



demanded divorce from Raja but he forced her for compromise. Rani approached CLAAS for

divorce. CLAAS filed a suit for dissolution of marriage and a suit for maintenance allowance in

the court of Civil Judge Family Court Lahore. The cases were under proceedings, when in

December 2018; Rani compromised with her husband and went back to his home just for the

sake of her children.

24. Fiza Vs Rizwan Ali

Fiza (21) is a resident of Shahdara, Lahore.

She is Muslim by faith. On April 02 2017, she

got married with her cousin Rizwan (28),

resident of Arifwala Sahiwal, who is also a

Muslim by faith. After marriage, Fiza came to

know that Rizwan was impotent. When

Rizwan knew that Fiza was aware of his

impotency, he started beating and sexually

abusing Fiza to cover his inferiority complex.

Knowing all this, Fiza left Rizwan’s houseafter

one month of her marriage shifted to her

parents’ house at Shahdra, Lahore. Rizwan

started his medical treatment but no vain. Since now she is residing with her parents and does

not want to live with her husband and wanted to take divorce from Rizwan. She approached

CLAAS on November 12, 2018for a legal help. On November 14, 2018 CLAAS filed a petition of

Dissolution of marriage in civil court on behalf of Fiza Bibi and the case is still under

proceedings

25. Maryam Vs Sunny Nazir

Maryam (20) is a resident of Mozang, Lahore.

On March 03 2018, she got married to Sunny

(28), a resident of Youhanabad Lahore. It was

not a pleasant marriage for Maryam as Sunny

always quarreled with her and sexually

abused her. Maryam also got to know that

Sunny was an addict. Day by day, Sunny’s

behavior became cruel towards Maryam.

Maryam shared this situation with her mother

Shamim and asked her to leave Sunny as she

did not want to live with him, but she forced

her to compromise.Maryam was fed up of this

situation and she tried to commit suicide two times. On November 11 2018, Maryam went to her

parents’ house and shared all this Sunny’s behaviour with her elder brother Sam. Sam

supported Maryam and decided to take divorce from Sunny. Sunny came to Maryam house for

compromise, but Maryam did not agree.



On November 16 2018, Maryam approached CLAAS for legal help. On November 26 18, two

cases , Dissolution of marriage and recovery of dowry articles on behalf of Maryam Bibi were

fixed in the court and the case is still under proceedings.

Miscellaneous Criminal Cases

1- Razia Bibi Vs Shahzad etc (Habeas Corpus Petition)

Razia Bibi (35) is the resident of Raja Jang, District Kasur and belongs to a Christian family.

She got married to Shahzad Masih in 2004 with the consent of her parents. Shahzad was

working as a sweeper in the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore at a salary of Rs. 14,000/- per

month while Razia remained a housewife. After her marriage, Razia came to know that

Shahzad is a drug addict and spent most of his income on addiction. Whenever Razia asked

him for household expenses, he would beat her severely. After six years of her marriage, Razia

had a son namely Shahbaz now 07 years old and later a daughter namely Humera now 05

years old. Shahzad did not care about his children’s education nor did he provide basic

necessities for them. So Razia had to turn back to her parent’s for household expenses. Finally

Razia was so fed up of the entire situation and left her husband’s house and started living with

her elder sister Shareefan Bibi while her children were living at Shahzad’s home. She stayed

with her sister for three months but her husband did not bother to visit her during. Razia

approached CLAAS for legal assistance regarding her children’s custody. On behalf of Razia

Bibi, a Habeas Corpus Petition was filed in the court of Sessions Judge Lahore for the recovery

of her minor children. After six court hearings, respondent Shahzad (Razia’s husband)

appeared before the concerned court along with children. The court recorded children’s

evidence as if they wanted to live with their father or mother and after recording their

statements, their custody was handed over to Shahzad.

2- M.A. Joseph Francis Vs SHO (Habeas Corpus Petition)

A mother along with her 17 years old daughter were held at DHA, Lahore and asked for legal

assistance regarding their recovery. A habeas corpus petition was moved on behalf of Mr.

Joseph Francis, National Director CLAAS, in Lahore High Court Lahore for the recovery and

custody of detained victims.

On the same day, Mr. Justice Shahbaz Ali Razwi, the Judge Lahore High Court Lahore passed

directions to District and Sessions Judge Lahore to depute a bailiff for the recovery of both

detainees. The bailiff was deputed by the court order for the recovery of detainees and CLAAS

team along with bailiff reached at the address mentioned above and both ladies recorded their

statement that they are living with their freewill. The bailiff recorded their statement and

submitted the recorded statement in the court of Additional Sessions Judge Lahore. So, the

case was disposed off on the same day.

Next day on March 14, 2018, second habeas corpus petition was filed by Mr. Joseph Francis for

the recovery of both victims. The court deputed bailiff to produce the detainees in the court. The



bailiff along with detainees appeared before the court and both ladies again recorded their

statement that they are living with their freewill and no one detained them. So, the case was

disposed off on March 15, 2018.

3- M.A. Joseph Francis Vs SHO (Habeas Corpus Petition)

A victim of domestic violence from Sahiwal who was living in Darul Amman (a government

women shelter) at Sahiwal asked CLAAS for legal assistance for recording her statement in the

court for granting permission to set her at liberty.

On September 27 2018, CLAAS provided assistance to distressed victim by filling an application

on behalf of Mr. Joseph Francis National Director CLAAS before the court of Judicial Magistrate

Police Station Fareed Town Sahiwal for taking her custody to ascertain her wishes regarding

her return to the United Kingdom. The permission was granted and after necessary inquiry and

recording the statement of the said victim, the court set her at liberty. On the same day, CLAAS

team after getting her custody took her at Lahore. She was accommodated with her daughter at

“Apna Ghar” for one night and next day on September 29, 2018 she traveled back to her

country.

4- Munir Bloach Vs State (Murder)

Gurkheya Ram (15) s/o Rogla Ram, a Hindu, was a resident of Daak Khana Chak 128 DNB,

Chak 127 DNB Dvision Yazmaan District Bahawalpur. Gurkheya had 11 siblings out of which 02

elder brothers and 03 elder sisters are married. He was living with his parents and other siblings

in a small house. Gurkheya along with his father and elder brothers worked as a laborer for a

farmer/yeoman named Yaseen Daya in his village. On April 28th 2017, Gurkheya went to work

with his brothers as per routine. Gurkheya was busy in his work, when Makhni s/o Yaseen came

over to him and started arguing with him that he had come late for work. The heated arguments

turned into a quarrel and Makhni lost his temper and started beating Gurkheya with his stick. He

also called his employer Munir Baloch at the scene and lied that Gurkheya had abused and beat

him. Munir Baloch, filled with rage, hit Gurkheya on his head with a spade. His brothers

immediately rushed him to a hospital in Bahawalpur where he stayed for 3 days but could not

bear the injuries and expired. Babo Ram got an FIR registered on 28th April, 2017 and

nominated Munir Baloch for the murder of his younger brother Gurkheya. But the police joined

hands with the culprits and filed a false case nominating Makhni as the murderer. Since Makhni

is a minor, he got bailed out after three months. The murderers are free and have police support

but Babo Ram is struggling to seek justice for his younger brother. Therefore, he approached

CLAAS on 25th July 2017 to seek legal assistance. CLAAS appointed its legal advisor for court

proceedings on behalf of victim family and case is under trial proceedings.

5- The State Vs Shahid etc (Murder)

Sabir Masih s/o Bhola Masih is the resident of Rehmat Colony Sheikhupura and belongs to a

Christian family. Sabir got involved in a fight with some Muslim men who had a dispute with his

cousin Amir that resulted in his death. Amir was a rickshaw driver who used to park his rickshaw



on the parking stand of Shahid Mirza Akram, a Muslim man. On February 17 2018, Amir was

going to work in the evening, when Shahid stopped him and demanded to pay the outstanding

parking fee of Rs. 500/0. But Amir claimed that some parts from his rickshaw were missing as

somebody had stolen them while his rickshaw was parked at the stand and demanded that

Shahid should compensate him for the stolen parts and after this, he would clear the

outstanding parking fee. They kept arguing and it soon turned into a big dispute after exchange

of harsh words. Shahid also called his brother Ghouri Mirza and both men started beating Amir.

While the fight was still going on, Sabir passed by on his bike and when he saw that two men

were beating his cousin Amir, he stopped there and got involved in the fight. In the spur of the

moment, Ghouri took out an iron punch and hit Sabir in the face, injuring his forehead and nose.

Due to the blunt trauma to his brain, Sabir fell on the ground and died on the spot. Shahid and

Ghouri fled from the scene while Amir stood there helplessly. A case FIR no. 165/18 under

section 302 of PPC was lodged against the culprits by Adnan Ashiq (Sabir’s brother-in-law).

Despite the fact that Adnan provided all the required information and evidence about the

murderers, the police was reluctant to carry out a fair investigation and did not formulate any

arrest. Therefore, Sabir’s brother Pervaiz Bhatti and Amir’s father Manzoor Masih approached

CLAAS on February 26, 2018 to seek legal assistance for the murder case of Sabir Masih.

CLAAS appointed its legal advisor for court proceedings. CLAAS lawyer intervened in this

matter and had meeting with police regarding this case. After CLAAS intervention, two accused

namely Tariq Ghouri and Shahid were arrested by the police and police got their remand from

the Magistrate Court Ferezowala. Mr. Zaman also contested their remand and police sent them

in the jail. Main accused Shahid moved his post-arrest bail in the court of sessions judge Lahore

and his bail accepted and at present he is on bail whereas the other accused is still behind the

bar and Challan of this case and trial is pending.

6- Pervaiz etc Vs theState (murder)

Sajan Aslam (22) s/o Aslam Masih (late) is a

resident of village Kathowali District Narrowal. His

father Aslam Masih aged 58 (late) was a retired

ranger police; and was murdered by his neighbor

Jamil Masih s/o Piyara Masih, due to clashes on

property matter. Sajan is a Commando SSG

(special service Group) in Pakistan Army and is

posted in Attock Qilla. Sajan and his siblings were

living at Bahar Colony, Lahore since 6 years with

their uncle, while his parents Aslam Masih (late),

and Razia were living at their own home at village

Kathowali District Narrowal since25 years. There

was a two and half Marla empty plot on the back side of Aslam’s home which belonged to

Aslam. His neighbor Rev. Piyara Masih and his sons Jamil and Pervaiz were in plan to occupy

this empty plot that’s why they used to quarrel with Aslam on unnecessary things.



On December 01 2018, Sajan and his brother Sarfarz came to village to meet his parents. On

December 04, 2018, Jamil, Pervaiz, Usman and Kaleem were gathered at Rev. Piyara Masih

house. Sajan was passing from Piyara’s house. Jamil called him and started beaten him. Aslam

Masih came to know this and went to the place. Jamil started beating Aslam also. Sajan tried to

save his father, but he failed and Aslam died on the spot.Sajan longed an FIR and on December

12, 2018, Sajan approached CLAAS for the legal help.CLAAS appointed its legal Advisor for

contesting the pre arrest bail December 20, 2018.

7-Anita Vs Amna (Theft Matter)

Anita (47) is a resident of Gohawa Lahore. Her husband Shahid William is a car dealer. Anita

had been working as a housemaid at one Amna Shehryar Taseer house sincethe last twenty

years (who is a second wife of late governor of Punjab Salman Taseer). Her behavior was much

kind towards Anita. She also supported Anita financially for continuing the education of her

children.

But an unfortunate incident of theft happened in Amna’s house on August 08, 2018 and Anita

was blamed for the same. According to Amna, there were about 25 servants including Anita

working in Amna Shehrayar Taseer house. A

Philippine maid namely Experanza and Anita

were most favourite of Amna and she always

trusted them. But Experanza did not like this

favoritism of Amna towards Anita and always

tried to misguide Amna about Anita. And the

same happened on August 8 2018, when

Amna had to go to Karachi for 15 days for

some birthday party of her sister. She

purchased one pair of Gold earrings for her

sister. When Amna reached Karachi, she

found missing that jewelry box along with that

pair of gold earring. She immediately called

Anita to search for jewelry box and those earrings in her bedroom that she might forgot the

same. As Anita had left for her house and was not at Amina’s house, she just lied that there

were no jewelry box and earrings. When Amna came back home after 15 days, she rudely

behaved with Anita and ordered her to find out her jewelry box with earrings. Anita was shocked

to see that jewelry box was there while earrings were missing. When Anita failed to find out the

earrings, Amna blamed her as thief for stealing her earrings. Amna did not allow Anita to leave

her home on September 09, 2018 and forced her to accept that she had stolen that earrings, but

she refused. Her husband and children were worried about Anita as she had not come back the

whole night. Shahid (her husband) came to Amna’s house, where they forced him to come up

with an agreement that he had borrowed Rs. 500,000/- from Shehryar Taseer and it would be

paid in installments. First installment was fixed for November 13, 2018 amounting to Rs.

250,000/0 but before the due date, on November 10, 2018, police came at Shahid home and



arrested him. Amna got registered an FIR against Shahid and Anita for theft of Rs. 200,000/,

diamond ear rings, 2000 dollars and imported hand bags etc.

Anita approached CLAAS for a legal help on October 11, 2018. CLAAS appointed its legal

advisor for contesting pre-arrest bail of Anita. On December 20, 2018, a compromise was

madebetween both parties.

Miscellaneous Civil Cases

1- Emmanuel Francis Vs Federation of Pakistan (Christian Divorce Act Appeal)

On January 15 2018, a meeting of executive body of Centre for Legal Aid Assistance &

Settlement (CLAAS)was held at 160-Hamza Town Ferozepur Road Lahore in central office. In

this meeting,anIntra Court Appeal No.84797/17 regarding Christian Divorce Act was discussed

in detail. Executive committee of CLAAS passed a resolution that Centre for Legal Aid

Assistance & Settlement (CLAAS) Lahore should become a party in the above mentioned ICA

to assist the court in this matter. Mr. M.A. Joseph Francis was authorized to file an application

under order no. 1, rule no. 10 of Civil Procedure Code (CPC) in High Court Lahore to

becomeanecessary party in ICA and still case is under proceedings.

2- Liaqat masih Vs Government of Punjab (Christian Graveyard Matter)

Javed Masih (50), a resident of Bhoghiyowal

Bhaghbanpura Lahore is Chairman of Masihi

Etihad Welfare. He approached CLAAS with

Liaqat Masih on October 09, 2018 for legal

help for Christian graveyard which is held in

Bhoghiyowal Bhaghanpura near Shouhwala

Chowk. According to him, Muslim community

of the area built their shops in the graveyard

and destroyed the twenty graves.

Graveyard’s land was occupied in 1993 and it

was 32 kanal and now it’s only left 6 kanal.

Christian people which are the resident of

Bhoghiyowal Bhaghbanpura came to the CLAAS with the chairman of Masihi Etihad welfare for

legal aid for statsque if the government of Punjab occupied the land of graveyard, it will be

irreparable lose for the Christian community graves. CLAAS appointed its legal advisor On

October 22, 2018 CLAAS filed a suit for permanent injunction on the behalf of Liaqat Masih etc

against government of Punjab, which is fixed in the court of Civil judge Lahore and still the

matter is under proceedings.



3- Irum Vs Patras (property matter)

Irum, resident of Youhanabad, Lahore got

married with Shamoun Masih with the consent of

both families on November 20 2005. Shamoun

was working as a paint labor. After her

marriage, Irum started living in her father’s three

Marla house located in F- block Youhanabad

Lahore. In 2007, Shamoun bought this house

from his father in law Shehzab Masih for Rs.

120,000/- and the actual amount of this house

was fixed as Rs. 240,000/- Shaumon’s elder

brother Patras Masih had some dispute with his

father Ashaq Masih and after his death, Patras startedliving with his wife and children in

Shamoun’s house.Patras was a drug addict and used to bring his drunken friends in Shamoun’s

house. He also always used filthy language against Shamoun. On December 01 2017,

Shamoun died due to heart attack. After his death, Patras kicked out Irum (Shamoun wife) and

children from Shamouns house andoccupied their house. Irum locked all her belongings in her

one room and started living with her father since last eight months. She approached CLAAS for

legal assistance. CLAAS appointed its legal advisor for legal assistance in property matter the

statuesque has been granted by the court.



Chapter 7

Stories of Change

Ainee

We would like to share the story of a young Christian woman named Annie. When we first met

her she was extremely distressed and mentally traumatized. She did not want to live and had no

hope for future. CLAAS approached her family who refused to accept her or even meet her. She

was accommodated in “Apna Ghar” (a shelter home for women and children).

Annie was just fourteen years old when she was abducted by her forty year old paternal uncle

Shafqat. Her family took help from the local police to locate

Annie but was unable to find her. Her abductor took her to a

remote area. Few months later, he took her to a local

mosque to marry her under Islamic ritual as this was the

easiest way to legalize abduction and keep her confined.

Ainee was kept in solitary confinement without provision of

any food. During the confinement, he continued raping and

physically torturing her.During her captivity, she got

pregnant and gave birth to Aliyah who is now 8 years old

and two years later bore another son Aliyan who is now 6

years old. By this time, Annie had accepted her abductor

Shafqat as her husband, even though they were not

married.Annie came to CLAAS on 9th February 2017 for

custody of her two minor sons. She was accommodated in ‘Apna Ghar” and a habeas corpus

petition was filed in the court of Sessions Judge Lahore for the recovery of her children. On

February 15, 2017, Annie’s partner Shafqat appeared before the court with their sons. The

custody of her children was granted to Annie. Annie was over joyed with this decision and so

was the entire CLAAS office. The children stayed with their mother in “Apna Ghar”. CLAAS

made arrangement for their schooling. Her lawyer filed another petition for the child support. In

September 2017, the court decided in her favour and ordered Shafqat to give monthly child

support to Annie. During her stay at CLAAS, she was encouraged to learn new skills and even

reading and writing. In April 2018, Annie completed her training. She was able to find a job at a

local beauty salon with reasonable monthly salary. In July 2018, Annie moved to her own

rented apartment with her two sons. During her stay in “Apna Ghar” she encouraged and

motivated other young victims to overcome their fears. According to Annie her faith has grown

stronger with each passing day and today she has firm faith that GOD has great plans for her.

She came to CLAAS as a victim but left as a survivor.

Aynas Anwar 30 years old was living with her mother Mrs. Tanveer Maqbool who is a widow

and was a cancer patient. Aynas got married with a Muslim with her freewill. After marriage, her

husband started to beat her severely and tortured her physically and mentally. After one year,

Aynas got divorce from him and started living with her mother in a rented house. Aynas was in

trauma and her mother was ill and they had no proper means of income. They approached



CLAAS for shelter and financial support.

CLAAS accommodated them in Safe House.

CLAAS provided medical treatment to Tanveer

Maqbool for throat cancer. CLAAS also

provided legal assistance to Aynas. CLAAS

also provided job at CLAAS office. After six

months of employment aAynas got married

with a Christian man and left safe house in

May 2018 whereas in July her mother Tanveer

went to UK. The both ladies were alone in

Pakistan and they were depressed but

thorough CLAAS support both are settled now.

Samra and Asim Javaid got married in August 2017 with their freewill without the consent of

their families. After marriage, Samra started

living with her in-laws in a joint family system

but her parents did not accept her marriage.

Later on Samra become the victim of domestic

violence and on January 28, 2018, she left her

husband’s home and approached her parents.

She was not willing to live with her husband as

he physically tortured her while she was two

months pregnant and there was any

apprehension of her miscarriage. Her parents

did not allow her to live with them and they

approached CLAAS office on March 01, 2018 regarding legal assistance and shelter support for

Samra. CLAAS provided shelter to Samra and also legal assistance by filing two cases. CLAAS

conducted counseling sessions with Samra and her parents.After few meetings, CLAAS

succeeded to convince them to allow Samra for living with them.Later on a compromise took

place between Samra and her husband.

Aster Malika (29) d/o John Bhatti belongs to a Christian family. Asters parents died when she

was just a child and was raised by her

maternal uncle. In 2008, her uncle married her

off to Asad Saleem and she moved into a

separate house on rent with her husband.

Aster has three children. Aster was not happy

with her married life, however she

compromised. She approached CLAAS for

shelter. CLAAS accommodated her at

Rehabilitation Centre “Apna Ghar” and

conducted counseling sessions for her. After

some counseling sessions, she realized her

mistakes also that earlier she ignored her husband and children and always demanded money



for extra needs. She decided to go with her husband who approached CLAAS for reconciliation

with her.

Abijeel (17) d/o Nawaz Rasheed is the resident of Green Town Lahore and belongs to a

Christian family. On March 14 2018, her

parents left her at CLAAS’ rehabilitation Centre

“Apna Ghar” for her counseling. Abijeel was

studying in 9th grade and could not continue her

studies as she fell in love with a Muslim boy Ali.

Their friendship continued for nearly seven

years and finally they decided to get married.

When Abijeel’s family came to know, her father

and elder brother beat her severely and

forbade her from talking to Ali. Abijeel’s mother

even took her to the local Pastor for counseling

sessions but all in vain. Despite all her family’s efforts and restrictions to keep her away from Ali,

she found out ways to remain in contact with him. Therefore her family decided that they should

shift her to a safe place for a change of environment which could help her in forgetting Ali.

CLAAS accommodated her at its shelter home and conducted counseling session for her. After

having some counseling sessions, she went back to her parents’ home.

Warsha 24 d/o Sohail Anjum is a resident of Makkah Colony Lahore. On July 29 2016, she got

married with Sohaib (26) with her free will.

Early two months of her marriage were

pleasant. After two months, Sohaib’s attitude

was changed towards Warsha. He used to

torture her physically and mentally. Even after

the birth of baby boy Nawab (7-month), her

husband did not realize his responsibilities. In

April 2018, Warsha left him and shifted to her

parents’ house. She was not willing to live with

her husband therefore she approached CLAAS

for legal assistance for filing a divorce case.

CLAAS provided legal assistance to her and filed three cases on behalf of Warsha. While the

cases were under proceedings, her husband started to harass her for dire consequences by

giving life threats to her. Therefore on May 17, 2018, Warsha along with her son Nawab and

sister Asha was accommodated at “Apna Ghar”. During her stay at CLAAS shelter home,

counseling sessions were conducted for her as she was in trauma. After many counseling

sessions, Warsha was able to resolve her conflicts. She stayed two months in shelter home

and went back to her parents’ home. On September 2018, a compromise took place between

Warsha and her husband and all cases were withdrawn by them.



Laws Open to Abuse:

Blasphemy Law:

The blasphemy law is a part of the PPC, which was introduced in 1860 by the British

Government to protect religious feelings. It may be observed that Section 295 provides

protection to worship places of all classes of religions living in the subcontinent. It does not

contain an element of discrimination or preference to any class. It maintains the equality of all

before the law. The law appears to maintain mutual harmony and peace as well as to promote a

sense of mutual tolerance, understanding, and respect in the multifaceted society of the

subcontinent. This section represents the typical example of a secular democratic law for the

benefit of all and loss to none. But it gradually was envenomed and the additions in it made this

law a weapon of annihilation.

There have been instances of intolerance relating to the blasphemy laws, promulgated by

General Zia in 1985. They state that whoever says anything disparaging about Holy Qur’an and

Muslims can be punished by life imprisonment and that anyone who blasphemes against

Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] is liable to the death penalty. The blasphemy law continues to be

abused because of its vague formulation, which allows arbitrary enforcement. In additional, it

only takes the testimony of four Muslims to bring about a conviction. It is not worthy that in

several cases, complaints have been filed at the insistence of local clerics or members of the

Islamic parties. The motives are varied and some seem to be pure because the accused is a

member of a minority faith. In other cases, this fact is exacerbated by economic or profession

rivalry.

Original Sections of 1860 Code: 295-298

Section 295

Injuring (or) Defiling Place of Worship, with intent to insult the Religion of any class

‘Whoever destroys, damages, or defiles any place of worship, or any object held sacred by any

class of persons with the intention of thereby insulting the religion of any class of persons or

with the knowledge that any class of persons is likely to consider such destruction, damage or

defilement as an insult to their religion, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description

for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.’

Section 296

Disturbing Religious assembly ‘Whoever voluntarily causes disturbance to an assembly

lawfully engaged in the performance of religious worship, or religious ceremonies shall be

punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or

with fine, or with both.’



Section 297

Trespassing on burial places, etc ‘Whoever, with the intention of wounding the feelings of any

person, or of insulting the religion of any person, or with the knowledge that the feelings of any

person are likely to be wounded, or that the religion of any person is likely of sepulture, or any

place set apart for the remains of the dead, or offers any indignity to any human corpse, or

cause disturbance to any person assembled for the performance of funeral ceremonies, shall be

punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or

with fine or with both.’

Section 298

Uttering words, etc with deliberate intention to sabotage Religious sentiments

‘Whosoever with the deliberate intention of damaging the religious feelings of any person, utters

any word or makes any sound in the hearing of that person, or make any gesture in the sight of

that person, or places any object in the sight of that person, shall be punished with

imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with

both.’

First Edition

In 1972 section 295-A was introduced as a result of the failure to convict one Rajpal, who had

written a scurrilous tract against the holy Prophet [PBUH]. Rajpal’s acquitted led to serious

Muslim-Hindus communal tension. To fill the lacunae in the laws that had enabled his acquitted

295-A was introduced by the Act XXV of 1927. This was the second blasphemy law.

Section 295-A

Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage Religious feelings of any class by

insulting its Religious (or) Religious believers ‘Whoever, with deliberate and malicious acts

intended to outrage religious feelings of any class of His Majesty’s subjects, by words either

spoken or written, or by visible representations, insults or attempts to insult the religion or

religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a

term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.’

Additions by General Zia-UL-Haq

Thereafter the laws remained unchanged until 1980. Between 1918 and 1947 there are only 4

reported cases in India under sections 298 and 295-A i.e. the blasphemy laws. Between 1947

and 1986 there were only 5 reported cases in Pakistan.

All the above laws also continue to be part of the Indian and Bangladesh Penal Codes.

In 1980 section 298-A was introduced. This was the third blasphemy law.



Section 298-A

Use of derogatory remarks, etc. in respect of Holy personages ‘Whoever by words, either

spoken or written, or by visible representations, or by any imputation, innuendo or

insinuation,directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of any wife [Ummul Mumineen], or

members of the family [Ahle-bait], of the Holy Prophet [PBUH] or any of the righteous Caliphs

[Khulafa-e-Raashideen] or companions [Sahaaba] of the Holy Prophet [PBUH] shall be

punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or

with fine or with both.

Section 295-B

Defiling etc. of a copy of Holy Qur’an ‘Whoever willfully defiles, damages or desecrates a

copy of the Holy Qur’an or of an extract therefrom or uses it in any derogatory manner or for any

unlawful purpose shall be punishable with imprisonment for life.’

Section 295-C

Use of derogatory remarks etc. in respect of the Holy Prophet [PBUH] ‘Whoever by words,

either spoken or written, or by visible representation, or by any imputation, innuendo, or

insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad

[PBUH] shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine.’

The two technical changes introduced by this law are that for the first time blasphemy becomes

a capital offense. Further, in 1991 the Federal Shariat Court ruled that the option of life

imprisonment was to be removed and the death penalty became the mandatory punishment for

this offense. The second innovation is that this is the only law in the entire PC that requires the

presiding judge be a Muslim. The other noteworthy aspect of this section in the absence of the

expression willfully or intentionally in the text of the law. Disregard of the element of will or

intention in the law makes the whole environment, suspicious of the reason that “will” or

“intention” is an essential part of human behavior in the context of identifying a criminal offense.

Thus, under section 295-C, a person committing an offense without “will” or “intention” is

awarded death sentence at par with one committing it “willfully” or “intentionally.” We can see

that law is required to punish the “unintentional” offense on the same scale as in the case of

“intentional” one, without any justification.

Blasphemy laws, like other discriminatory laws, have changed the fate of Pakistani Christians,

the Ahmadis community, and even the Muslims are not safe from this brutal and savage law.

Christians and Ahmadis are the main targets of the fundamentalist and religious-political parties.

The law is being used for forced conversions, forcibly taking the lands and businesses of non-

Muslims and for settling personal scores, rivalries, and vengeance. These laws have also

hindered the preaching of any other faith except Islam. Nevertheless, these laws have proven to

be the most injurious weapons for active religious persecution used by the extremists.



Once a person is held under blasphemy charges, the victim and his/her family are sore-pressed

and are harassed with problems. As a matter of fact, none of the victims has ever availed relief

from the lower courts and have to go in appeal in the higher or even if the person gets relief

from the higher courts, he/she can never go back to this place and have to live in danger

for his/her entire life.

Hudood Ordinance (Rape and Adultery)

This law was promulgated on February 22nd, 1997. It covers theft, drunkenness, adultery, rape

and bearing false witness. Zinah (adultery) is a part of this ordinance, which is divided into two

sections, Zinah (adultery and fornication), Zina-bill-Jabar (rape). In this, it is easy to accuse

women, at times even falsely of adultery. Both sections are liable to hold, and victim requires at

least four Muslim adult male witnesses about whom the court is satisfied having regard to the

requirements of “Tazkyah-al-Shuood” that they are truthful persons and abstain from major sins

give evidence as an eyewitness of the act of penetration necessary to the offense. The non-

Muslim witness is not admissible, against Muslim, but if the accused is non-Muslim, the

eyewitness may be non-Muslim.

Moreover, the presiding officer of the court by which a case is tried or an appeal is heard under

this ordinance shall be a Muslim. In the case of a non-Muslim accused the presiding officer may

be non-Muslim.

If a victim is non-Muslim and the perpetrator(s) Muslim, it becomes hard to prove rape, because

the non-Muslim witness is not admissible and four male-Muslims cannot be provided anyway. In

such cases, female victims cannot prove their case are subsequently charged with Zina or

Qazaf (Islamic law) for making a false statement and becomes liable to hand. This is an

effective deterrent against women complaining of rape or abuse. Many women are suffering in

different jails in Pakistan charged under this law.

Qanoon-e-Shahadat (Law of Witness)

This law came into effect in 1984. It is discriminatory against women and the non-Muslims. In

this law, the evidence of two women equals to that of one man in the case of non-Muslim while

four male witnesses are needed if they are non-Muslims. In the case of non-Muslim women,

there is much confusion as to how many witnesses are required to testify. In fact, non-Muslims

cannot give evidence in Hadd (maximum) punishment if a Muslim is on trial. Moreover, in the

case of Hadd punishment, the Zina Ordinance does not take into account a woman’s evidence

even if she is the victim.

Qisas-o-Diyat (Blood Money)

Qisas literally means retribution, with the logic of an eye for an eye, while Diyat is blood money

for murder or financial compensation for physical injury in the law of retribution. It provides for

punishment for murder and injury, but it is discriminatory towards women in terms of their

number of witnesses in order to testify in the court of law. Only two male witnesses can testify

for maximum punishment while women can only testify for awarding lesser punishment.



Evidence of non-Muslims is only acceptable if the accused is also a non-Muslim. Diyat is meted

out with discrimination, as blood money awarded to women to the aggressive party is only half

of that of a man while women are liable to the same punishment.

Interfaith Marriages

Interfaith marriages are not very common in Pakistan, as people prefer to stay in their

respective religions. People in Pakistan when settling a marriage between a man and a woman

try to get information about the family they are to have their son/daughter to be married with.

They often do the investigation through different sources for own satisfaction and to avoid any

problems to be faced in the future.

Every person/family tries to get married in their respective religion, cast, and sets of beliefs. Like

a Muslim Sunni would prefer to be married in a Sunni family, the same is in Shia and other sects

of the Muslim religion.

Christians also prefer to marry in their own religion and would not like to go out of their cultural

differences. It is not possible for either side to accept and follow the religion of any side,

especially in the case of a Christian woman. Legally, there is no objection for a Christian or

Muslim to tie in the bond of marriage, but the pressure from the families and the communities

from either side make it impossible for a Christian or Muslim to get married. But still, these

marriages take place in the community with or without the permission of both the families.

These marriages take place in two different ways:

Forced Marriages

Love Marriages

o Muslim boy & Christian girl

o Christian boy & Muslim girl

Forced Marriages

Most of these marriages take place in rural areas where a Muslim feudal marries a Christian

woman by force. This usually happens to teach a lesson to a Christian servant either for not

obeying the orders of the feudal lord or if the Christian woman is beautiful the feudal gets a

desire to have her and this forces him to marry that Christian woman. This also happens in brick

kilns and other labor industries where the whole of the family works and Christian women are

being subjected to this forced marriage and are asked to forget about their previous marriages

as their marriages automatically dissolve after marrying a Muslim man. These marriages also

take place when a minor forcibly converted to Islam and to prevent her from going to her

Christian parents, they are usually forced into marriage with a Muslim male twice older than

then her own age.



Love Marriages

Muslim Boy & Christian Girl

Unlike the marriage between a Christian boy and a Muslim girl, there is no problem for a Muslim

male to marry a Christian girl. It is said in the Muslim community that by marrying a Christian girl

and bringing her into the circle of Islam is to commit a good deed for the male and for Islam.

Muslims welcome Christian girls in their family and expect the girl to get involved in the new

environment and to follow her religion obediently. But soon they start to have conflicts with the

girl and these types of marriages do not last long and in the end, the girl gets tired and wants to

get freedom from her husband and his religion. This enrages the Muslim husband and his family

and they take this against Islam to let the girl go back to her previous religion. They often kill her

or does not give her a divorce and keep her in their custody forcibly. Even if the girls manage to

escape from her Muslim in-laws, they follow her and try to threaten her and her family to send

her back or else they (a Christian girl and her family) will be killed. Even after getting a divorce

from her Muslim husband, the Christian girl lives her life under fear and tries to live where no

one can recognize her. Therefore, interfaith marriages do not bring any good results for

Christian men or women as in either way they lose in the end.

Christian Boy & Muslim Girl

It is not possible for a Christian boy to get involved with a Muslim girl. If a Christian boy and a

Muslim girl fell in love with each other they cannot get married because of the fear and pressure

from their families and also the pressure built by the extremists. Muslims do not allow their

daughter to marry a boy Christian by faith, and then they take it against their pride and honor.

They take it very seriously, and if the couple goes into hidden they search them, find them and

kill both including the family of that Christian boy. They also charge the boy/man and his family

for the abduction of their daughter and try to get them behind bars.

Constitution of Pakistan Relating to Women

The Rights of women are being protected in the constitution of Pakistan as well as in the

Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

All citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law.

There shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex alone.

No citizen otherwise qualified for appointment in the service of Pakistan shall be

discriminated against in respect of any such appointment on the ground only of Sex

Steps shall be taken to ensure full participation of women in all spheres of national

life………….

The state shall protect the marriage, the family, and the mother……….

The state shall……….. [Ensure] that ……. women are not employed invocation unsuited

to their sex……...



Constitution of Pakistan, Articles 25,27,35,37

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights…………..

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedom set forth in this declaration, without

distinction of any kind…………

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of

the law………….

Men and women of full age……..are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during the

marriage and at its dissolution.

Marriage should be entered into with the free will and consent of the intending spouses.

Everyone has the right to equal access to public service in his country.

Mother and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Articles 1,2,7,16,21 (2), 25 (2)

Constitution of Pakistan Relating to Children

Child rights are being protected in both the Constitution of Pakistan and in the UN declaration

for the protection of child rights.

No child below the age of 14 years shall be engaged in any factory or mine or nay other

hazardous employment. Constitution of Pakistan, Article 11 (3)

The state shall protect the marriage, the family, the mother and the child. Articles 35

The state shall make provisions for ………. ensuring that children……..are not employed

in vocations to their age…………Article 37 (e)

In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by the public to private social

welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best

interest of the child shall be a primary consideration. Article 3 (1)

Childhood is entitled to special care and assistance.

UN Convention on the Right of the Child, Preamble

Due to improper administration of the law in Pakistan, the law and the Constitution are being

violated and the government has no means to stop it to protect children.

Child rights are being protected in both the Constitution of Pakistan and in the UN declaration

for the protection of child rights.

No child below the age of 14 years shall be engaged in any factory or mine or any other

hazardous employment.

CLAAS-Annual-Report-2018.pdf - CENTRE FOR LEGAL AID ...

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