Blasphemy accusation is a 'conspiracy'

Islamabad: The accusation of blasphemy against Christian nurses, particularly the principal of the nursing school of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), is a conspiracy to remove her from the post, said Shahbaz Bhatti, chairman of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA).

Talking to Gulf News in Islamabad on Thursday, Bhatti said Christian students had denied the allegations against them and offered to prove their innocence at any forum.

"No Christian nurse could commit such an act as they respect all the religions and have great respect for Islam and the the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)," he added.

"The blasphemy case against the Christian student nurses is a blatant example of religious discrimination, there is absolutely no evidence against them," Bhatti said.

He questioned: "Why have they been singled out and suspended without any independent investigation of the matter?"

He said the principal of the nursing school, Stella Nazir, was on leave when the alleged incident took place on May 17.

"If the principal can be suspended in such a manner, then the other administration authorities should also be suspended," Bhatti said, adding "the registration of a blasphemy case requires an inquiry by an officer of the rank of superintendent."