Blasphemy: Christian nurse allegedly tortured by mob in Pakistan hospital

Medical staff joined in the vicious attack on Tabitha Nazir Gill, 30, at the Sobhraj Maternity Hospital in Karachi where she has worked for nine years, reports The Sun.

As per International Christian Concern website, 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. Videos of hospital staff beating Gill surfaced on social media and Gill was reportedly tied up with ropes, tortured, and locked in a room before being taken into police custody, the website reported.

However, police released Gill, handing her over to her family, after a short investigation did not find any evidence that Gill had committed blasphemy. Gill and her family have since moved to an unknown location fearing vigilante violence, read the website.

ICC’s Regional Manager, William Stark, said, “We here at International Christian Concern condemn the false blasphemy allegation that has been leveled against Tabitha Nazir Gill. In Pakistan, blasphemy allegations forever ruin the lives of the accused, even if proved to be false.

"We call on Pakistani authorities to thoroughly and fairly investigate this false allegation and bring the false accuser to justice. Pakistan’s blasphemy laws must no longer be allowed to settle personal scores or incite religious hatred. Too often these laws have been a tool in the hands of extremists seeking to stir up religiously motivated violence against minorities.”

Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) tweeted: "HRCP condemns in no uncertain terms the sickening display of violence against a Christian nurse, Tabitha, accused of blasphemy at a hospital in Karachi."