A Christian woman was arrested in Lahore on blasphemy charges.
Jamila Bibi, who suffers from mental illness, was taken into care after a “petty” argument with a shop owner over shampoo.
She now faces blasphemy charges, which are illegal in Pakistan and punishable by death.
The incident on June 4 has raised further concerns among the country’s Christian community. Last month, a 74-year-old Christian, Nazir Masih, died after being attacked by a mob of 400 people for burning pages of the Quran.
According to the British Asian Christian Council, Bibi had visited the Asik Superstore to buy shampoo when a disagreement over the type of shampoo led to a heated argument between her and the store owner, Mohammed Asif.
Asif further filed a complaint with North Cantt police station alleging that she made blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad.
She was arrested under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code.
According to Bibi’s family, Jamila tends to wander the streets and often engages in activities such as begging and collecting plastic bottles.
Fearing retaliation, many local Christians have fled their homes, and Christian leaders Pastor Asif Khokhar and Pastor Samson Anayat have petitioned the Inspector General of Punjab, asking for safeguarding so Christian residents can return without fear of persecution.
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