Betrayed by Faith_ A Tale of Courage in the Face of Injustice

1. Betrayed by Faith: A Tale of Courage in the Face of Injustice Farrukh Saif December 5, 2024 In June 2024, our organization was involved in the case of a 19-year-old Christian Girl whose life would forever be altered by the very person meant to guide and protect her – Catholic Priest Naveed Thomas. This is not just a story of a heinous crime but a harrowing journey through a labyrinth of corruption, betrayal, and unexpected strength. The case of the young Catholic girl raped by Priest Thomas quickly became a Gordian knot of complexities. As our organization stepped in to help, we found

2. ourselves navigating treacherous waters. Wielding his influence like a weapon, Thomas manipulated witnesses and swayed local law enforcement. Even more shocking was the betrayal from within – some of the victim’s relatives began to side with the accused, applying suffocating pressure on the family to abandon their pursuit of justice. Betrayal: But the betrayal didn’t end there. Enter Salmat Tabbasum, a self-proclaimed pastor and doctor who initially appeared as an ally. Our organization, trusting his credentials and apparent goodwill, sent him 500,000 PKR to support the victim’s family. What followed was a masterclass in duplicity. Tabbasum pocketed the money and then dared to pressure the family into settling the case for a mere 1.5 million PKR. The family’s refusal to be silenced was a beacon of courage in this darkening tale. As the case unfolded, it exposed the rot that sometimes festers even in the most sacred institutions. Tabbasum, far from being a man of God, revealed himself as a wolf in shepherd’s clothing. Joining forces with Imran Masih, a relative of the victim, he orchestrated a series of threats and bribes, even going so far as to plot against the victim’s brother, Salmon. As after the incident with his sister, Salmon returned to Faisalabad, leaving his belongings and essential items, including a checkbook, in Islamabad. Imran took a check and gave it to Salamat Tabassum; however, they played a dirty trick, resulting in the check being bounced. They then applied to file a First Information Report (FIR), claiming that she owed them 16 lakh 50 thousand rupees and that this check had been provided under those pretenses. In reality, the family never borrowed any money from Salamat Tabassum or engaged in any transactions with him.

3. The Role of Police: Court Order The family was alerted to the incident when the police contacted Zulfikar Masih (father) to inform him that the check in question belonged to his son and that he needed to pay 1.6 million rupees to Salamat Tabassum. In response, the family went to the police station to explain that they had no dealings with Salamat. Zulfiqar Masih informed the police that his son’s check had been stolen in Islamabad. Imran then took the check and handed it to Salamat, who, in collaboration with Imran, used it to sabotage his daughter’s case. They intended to blackmail and pressure the family into a settlement in the case and reconcile with Priest Naveed Thomas. When the police were informed about the entire incident, they requested the family to provide evidence to dismiss the application. While the family was in contact with the bank and their relatives to gather this evidence, Salamat Tabassum requested an FIR from the court to increase the pressure on both the police and the court, which the court granted.

4. Subsequently, when our organization became involved, we submitted a motion to the High Court seeking a re-investigation. We argued that the check-in question was stolen and that Salamat Tabassum used this situation purely to apply pressure. In contrast, he received five hundred thousand rupees from our organization as assistance, which was never delivered to the family. Yesterday, the Lahore High Court ordered an immediate forensic examination and directed the police to submit a report within 5 days. Salamat Tabassum and Imran Masih, who are both together with Naveed Thomas, constantly pressure and threaten the family to reconcile and settle the case so that Naveed can be restored in the Diocese of Faisalabad before the election of the new Bishop. Although Naveed Thomas claimed that he never had any relationship with this girl if he were truthful, he would never have tried to silence this family through such lies, baseless and fabricated stories, and threats. The truth in this case is that Naveed Thomas raped a 19-year-old Catholic girl, Sada Shahzadi, and destroyed her life. And then used various methods to intimidate the persecuted family. Even in this situation, the family stood firm in this tsunami of corruption and betrayal. Even as the system seemed to conspire against them, their steady pursuit of justice is a testament to the indomitable human spirit. The recent order by the Lahore High Court for a forensic examination brings a spark of hope, but the road ahead remains long and fraught with danger. This case serves as a token of the challenges faced by Christian communities in Pakistan. It exposes not just the external threats they face but also the internal conflicts that can tear communities apart. The actions of men like Tabbasum, who exploit faith for personal gain, cast long shadows over the genuine work of those striving to make a difference. In the end, Let us stand with this Persecuted family, pray for their safety, and work towards creating a society where no one is above the law.

5. Original source:https://ecspe.org/betrayed-by-faith-a-tale-of-courage-in-the-face-of-injusti ce/