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Chinese National Arrested In Pakistan After Mob Attack Over Blasphemy Accusations
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On Sunday night, a Chinese engineer identified as "Mr Tian" was arrested and charged after an altercation with local labourers at a worksite in northern Pakistan.
Following the altercation, he was accused of blasphemy after allegedly making derogatory comments and gestures towards Allah and the Prophet, which led to local mob attempting to attack him.
According to the report, security officials revealed that Mr Tian was the head of heavy transport at the China Gezhouba Group Company responsible for constructing the Dasu hydropower project in the Upper Kohistan district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The incident occurred after Mr Tian had asked his local staff to resume work when they had gathered to offer the afternoon prayers at the construction site. The demand led to an argument and subsequent altercation that resulted in his arrest.
“He made insulting remarks and derogatory gestures against Allah and the Prophet,” stated the police report.
The Chinese engineer was taken into custody and flown by army helicopter from North Pakistan to Abbottabad, located 120km north of Islamabad, to ensure his safety.
He will face a police investigation and trial in a magistrate's court.
In Pakistan, blasphemy is a highly sensitive topic that carries the punishment of death. Individuals accused of this crime are often subjected to violent attacks and sometimes even lynching by mobs.
Earlier, on 3 December 2021, in a bone-chilling case of barbarity, a fanatic crowd killed and burnt a Sri Lankan national, identified as Priyantha Kumara, who was a factory manager, accusing him of disrespecting Quran in Pakistan's Sialkot district.
On social media, a video circulated showing the victim being set on fire while a crowd of thousands chanted slogans of “Gustaakh-e-Nabi ki ek saza, sar tan se juda sar tan se juda."
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