PESHAWAR - A Chinese national was arrested on Monday over blasphemy charges in Dasu, the Upper Kohistan district headquarters, after local residents staged protest against him. An FIR lodged at the Komela Police Station in Upper Kohistan, quoted the project staff as saying that the accused identified as Tian, in-charge heavy transport at Dasu power project, uttered blasphemous remarks about the God and Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in the presence of his subordinate staffers identified as drivers Gulistan and Shafi, flagman Qadir, and interpreter Yasir. Later, an angry mob staged a rally to condemn the alleged blasphemous remarks. The incident happened on Saturday last as per the police FIR. However, the mob comprising hundreds of residents and labourers gathered against the man on Sunday, prompting the police to arrest Tian.
New Zealand beat Pakistan in 3rd T20I to stay alive in the series
Meanwhile, Chinese media reported that “the [Chinese] engineer of Gezhouba Group Company had an argument with the local labourers about the slow pace of work and extended breaks for taraveeh prayers, and later the labourers accused him of blasphemy, resulting in an angry mob.” The police took the Chinese national into custody and booked him under 295-C of the PPC (use of derogatory remarks in respect of the holy prophet) and section 6, (terrorism, and section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act-1997 (punishment for acts of terrorism). According to district police chief Naseer Khan, the mob gathering took place in the town of Komela, which is near to the site of the Dasu Dam, Pakistan’s largest hydroelectric project, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan. Naseer went on to say that cops responded immediately to the demonstrations by “rescuing and arresting” the Chinese national. Tian allegedly grew furious and punished two local drivers for taking too much time away from work to pray, according to Naseer. Other workers alleged he disrespected the Prophet.
FIFA confirms Argentina as host nation for FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023