Christian-convert accused of defaming bishop

Wednesday, July 01, 2009
By our correspondent
Karachi

At a public forum called by the members of the Protestant Church of Pakistan, a Christian-convert Ghazala Shafiq, was accused of defaming Bishop Sadiq Daniel, the bishop of Karachi diocese, on a private television channel last week. The Protestant community also criticised the channel for ‘misusing freedom’ and broadcasting a report on a case that is still pending in court.

Shafiq, who is a former administrator of Brenton Carey Girls Hostel, Saddar, and has given interviews in the press earlier, went on air for the first time highlighting her four-year old case still pending in the Sindh High Court. In April 2005, Shafiq had filed a case against the bishop and some other senior members of the community after she was allegedly disrobed by them when she refused to sign some papers. This, she stated, was allegedly done in connivance with the area police.

“Ghazala Shafiq has proved that she has no respect for the clergy and other leaders of the Christian community. She had no right to make a statement on a matter that is subjudiced,” a furious community member said in his speech. The forum was attended by the Protestant community from different parts of the city including Korangi, Ranchore Lines, Baldia Town, Drigh Road and Saddar among others.

Talking to The News separately, Bishop Daniel said that he was disappointed at the manner in which the private television channel accommodated Shafiq’s opinion, while ignoring the fact that the verdict of the case was still pending. “We fully support the freedom of the Press, but we should also realise that it comes with responsibility. Accusing the senior-most member of the Christian community will not be tolerated by any member,” said Young Women’s Christian Association President Nuzhat Williams.

The main accused in the case Diocese of Karachi (Church of Pakistan) Secretary Zafar Iqbal, said that Shafiq, who had joined the hostel as an administrator in 2001, was a Christian convert. He added that members of the community suspected that she had “ulterior motives” for converting from Islam to Christianity. “We have evidence of her frequent visits to Afghanistan from where she brought money to Pakistan to distribute among poorer members of the Christian community,” alleged Iqbal. “We suspected she may have been doing so to economically empower the Christians and then gradually turn them against the clergy, and so we decided to sack her.”

Members added that a massive protest will be held in the city on Sunday to condemn the incident. They have invited young members of the community to join hands to defend their faith.

(The News International)