Police arrest Chinese worker on accusation of blasphemy

A Chinese worker at the Dasu Hydropower Project in Upper Kohistan was arrested by the police on Sunday after being accused of committing blasphemy by some of the laborers working on the location, Dawn has reported.

The SHO of Komila confirmed the arrest and mentioned that an FIR has been lodged against the accused under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The complaint was filed by Gulistan and Yasir. According to the complaint filed at the Komila police station, a mob attempting to break into a Chinese camp near Barseen was reported to police official Jehanzeb on Sunday night.

“After receiving the information, a police party reached the site, took control of the area and safely shifted the accused to the Komila police station,” the complaint said.

Despite the arrest, a large number of protesters arrived at Komila early on Monday and once again obstructed the Karakoram Highway while raising slogans against the Chinese man. However, following the police’s guarantee of filing an FIR, the protestors reopened the Karakoram Highway for traffic. Additionally, local religious leaders appealed to the demonstrators to end the protest.