A Humble Cemetery Worker
Shoukat Javed is an elderly Christian man from Pakistan who has recently been falsely accused of blasphemy against the companions of the Prophet. For the past seven years, he has been living in a small room within the Christian cemetery in Mohalla Shah Faisalabad, Attock. Despite his difficult financial situation, he has been voluntarily taking care of the Christian graveyard, ensuring its cleanliness without expecting any wages.
When we visited Shoukat Masih and the cemetery, it became evident that he is not only living in extreme poverty but also facing constant discrimination. He lives in a small room built in the corner of the graveyard, with no water, no power facility. He burns candles and carries water 2 km from a Christian house. His Muslim neighbors frequently harass him, and even young children insult him by calling him ‘Chora,’ a derogatory term used against Christians. His Muslim neighbors, along with religious leaders invited him to convert to Islam, and they, along with a crowd visit him in the graveyard, Javed argued that he is a strong devoted Christian and believes in Jesus with a strong faith. Some other individuals have also pressured him to convert to Islam. The Muslim neighbor children shout out at the graveyard gate, calling him Javed Churra.
The Christian cemetery has long been subjected to disrespect, with locals dumping garbage there and refusing to acknowledge it as a sacred site. Javed repeatedly objected to this mistreatment, which led to growing hostility towards him. As a result, he was first falsely accused of possessing 600 grams of hashish, leading to an FIR being registered against him on May 1, 2024. After spending nearly three weeks in custody, he was granted bail. However, soon after his release, he was once again targeted—this time with a fabricated blasphemy charge. A First Police Investigation report (FIR) for blasphemy was lodged against him on May 30, 2024, by Mushtaq Ahmed.
Javed firmly denied these accusations, stating that he never spoke against the companions of the Prophet. He believes that he is being systematically framed in false cases simply because he stood up for the dignity of the Christian cemetery. He also pointed out the double standards in society, where Christians face relentless persecution while those who desecrate their religious sites face no consequences. He expressed his pain over being treated as a second-class citizen, constantly insulted and dehumanized with words like ‘Chora.’
Javed is not alone in his plea for justice. The entire Christian community urges the government to take action to protect religious minorities and ensure their rights. It is crucial for the authorities to intervene and put an end to the cycle of false blasphemy allegations. No one should suffer simply because of their faith, and it is time for the system to recognize and uphold the dignity of every citizen.
Shoukat Javed has pleaded with CAPC for legal and humanitarian aid. He needs justice.