The victim, 72-year-old Nazir Masih, was beaten by an angry mob. His business and home were set on fire, as police failed to intervene. His family is on the run, while he lays in hospital in critical condition. Nine months after violence in Jaranwala, the Christian community in Punjab province continues to be the victim of the same hostility.
Zaki Masih is a Christian and was arrested by the police in Sargodha. A dispute over land was the real reason for the complaint; even the imam came to his defence. Minority rights activists in Pakistan are increasingly concerned about the escalation in the country's use of accusations cloaked with religious motives.