Fear of arrest and harassment for human rights lawyer Mr Sardar Mushtaq Gill and his family

 LAHORE:LEAD is deeply concerned  that human rights defender Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill has gone into hiding due to a fear of illegal raid for arrest and he has been illegal harassed by  Police Officials who were with out police uniform. 

On 18 November,2013,at approximately 09.30 PM in the late night ,when people mostly went to beds ,in Phool Nagar (Bhai Pheru) some unidentified persons came his home and knocked at the door.His elder brother came out and asked them why they were knocking at the door.They asked where was Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill and they asked to speak with him.His elder brother told them that he was not at home as now he is living in Lahore.His elder brother enquired who are you?Why you want to speak with him?They told they are Police officials.They noted the address of Lahore and went away.

On 19 November,2013 ,at approximately 10.00 PM in the evening,Gulberg III, Lahore, some unknown persons arrived at his home, where he is living with his in-laws, and they knocked at the door and asked to speak to the human rights lawyer Sardar Mushtaq Gill.His wife told them that he was not at the home and she enquired them why they were looking for him.The police informed her that there are two accused  who are absconders of the trial Court of  additional and Session Judge ,Lahore.The police informed her that Section 212 PPC had been imposed on him as Police has been informed by some persons that he has harboured them at his house.

Today on 20 November,2013,Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill petitioned to Additional and Session Judge Lahore Mr.Safdar Ali Bhatti that he and his family illegally been raided and harassed by some unknown extremists along with Police Officials of Four Police Stations,Phool Nagar,Changa Manga and Garden Town,Lahore and Shahdara Town,Lahore.He also informed to the Court that he has been targeted on 2 November ,2013 and there was shooting at his house just to make him target and harass.He also informed the court that he is being targeted due to giving legal assistance in blasphemy cases.He also requested  the Court to give him and his family security as his life and the lives of his family members are in danger but the Court flately refused by saying that the court has no powers and jurisdiction to grant security,but the court gave direction order that Police will not harass him and his family members illegally and unlawfully.

Today on 19 November,2013,human rights defender Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill along with some other lawyers went to concern police Station and showed them the direction order of the Court,they flatly refused that they did not never ever go his house and raided and  demanded for arrest to human rights defender Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill.

"I believe there are some militants elements who just wish to target me,and they came at my house pretending Police Officials or may be the Police is now giving wrong statements",told human rights defender Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill."He added that now me and my family are not safe and we are constantly under threats and fear"."Now I am in hiding and do not tell any body where now I am living due to security purpose",told Gill. 

LEAD believes that Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill has been harassed as a result of his human rights activities and due to his stance against the misuse of blasphemy laws against religious minorities.LEAD is concerned for his security and physical and psychological integrity, as well as that of his family members. 

We request to pray for Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill and his family because their lives are in danger.Please pray that God protect him and his family while he is representing the innocent who are suffering because of their faith in Pakistan.