Pakistan Christian Nurse Tabitha Nazir Gill Beaten, Stripped By Hospital Mob Over False Blasphemy Accusation After Reminding Colleague Not To Accept Patient Tips
Medical Staff Joined Attack At Sobhraj Maternity Hospital In Karachi, Police Forced To Register Death Penalty Charges After Hundreds Surrounded Station Demanding Justice
A Christian nurse was beaten, stripped and tortured by a mob at a Pakistani hospital where she worked for nine years after a Muslim colleague falsely accused her of blasphemy. Tabitha Nazir Gill, 30, was attacked at Sobhraj Maternity Hospital in Karachi on January 28 2021 when videos showing the assault spread on social media.
She was accused of insulting all prophets including Prophet Muhammad, Prophet Abraham and Prophet Adam.
She urged others to say Jesus to solve their problems, shouted Muslim nurse Nasreen while beating Gill. Close the gate. Don't let her escape. Beat her. Why did you speak of our religion, shouted others according to UCA News.
Gill was dragged from the third to the first floor of the hospital where visiting burqa clad women also attacked her, some with brooms.
According to International Christian Concern, the head nurse at Sobhraj Maternity Hospital issued orders that medical staff may not receive tips or deal with money from patients. Gill reportedly reminded a Muslim coworker of these orders when she saw the coworker collect money from a patient.
In response, the Muslim coworker falsely accused Gill of committing blasphemy and incited violence against her colleague. Gill was bound with ropes, tortured and locked in a room until she signed an apology then taken to a police station.
Police Initially Cleared Nurse But Forced To Register Death Penalty Charges After Mob Surrounded Station
The investigating officer initially cleared Gill of blasphemy charges citing a misunderstanding between colleagues and allowed her to leave the police station. However the same afternoon police registered a blasphemy case against the gospel singer under Section 295 C of the Pakistan Penal Code that mandates the death penalty for blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad.
In the first information report, midwifery student Saba accused Gill of stating that Prophet Ishmael was born of adultery and twisted the name of Muhammad adding that Muhammad is nothing. Police were forced to register charges after a mob of hundreds surrounded the police station demanding action.
False accusations of blaspheming Islam in Pakistan are common, often motivated by personal vendettas or religious hatred according to human rights groups. Blasphemy is a highly sensitive issue in deeply conservative Pakistan where mere allegations have led to extrajudicial killings and mob violence.
Catholic groups and human rights campaigners have long sought repeal of draconian blasphemy laws arguing they are used to victimize religious minorities. According to Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement UK, nearly 60 people including nine Christians and 47 Muslims were charged with blasphemy in 2020. At least three innocent people were killed.
Between 1987 and 2017, 1,534 individuals in Pakistan were accused of blasphemy with 829 accusations against religious minorities. With Christians only making up 1.6 percent of Pakistan's population, the 238 accusations against Christians is highly disproportionate.
THE CRUSADER'S OPINION
Christians make up 1.6 percent of Pakistan.
They account for 15.5 percent of blasphemy accusations.
The accusation ruins lives even when proven false.
No one is executed officially. Mobs handle it first.
Since the 1980s, nearly 80 people killed by vigilantes for alleged blasphemy.
False accusers face six months prison or a $6 fine.
The accused face death.
Pakistan remains a US designated Country of Particular Concern for severe violations of religious freedom.
Muslim coworkers use blasphemy laws to settle personal scores.
Christians live in fear that any disagreement becomes a death sentence.
TAKE ACTION
• Voice of the Martyrs: Support at persecution.com providing legal defense and family assistance for Pakistani Christians like Tabitha Nazir Gill falsely accused of blasphemy, facing death penalty under Section 295 C after hospital mob attack
• International Christian Concern: Donate at persecution.org advocating for Pakistani Christians disproportionately targeted by blasphemy laws, with 238 accusations against 1.6% Christian minority population between 1987 and 2017
• Barnabas Fund: Give at barnabasfund.org supporting Christian families forced into hiding after blasphemy accusations in Pakistan where mere allegations lead to mob lynchings and vigilante murders without state protection
• Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement: Support at claas.org.pk providing legal representation for Christian nurses and minorities falsely accused under Pakistan's draconian blasphemy laws motivated by personal vendettas and religious hatred
• Contact US State Department: Demand stronger action on Pakistan's Country of Particular Concern designation for severe religious freedom violations, including weaponization of blasphemy laws resulting in death penalty charges against Christians for workplace disputes
