On Wednesday 18th of November 1998, nine Christians, eight of them belonging to the same family, were slain in a ghastly and premeditated attack in the city of Nowshera, 25 miles from Peshawar in the North West Frontier of Pakistan.

The dead bodies were discovered when a family friend visited the house in the morning. The door was broken open to reveal nine bodies, with their throats cut, lying in a pool of blood. After committing the crime, the murderers had written, '(the) brutal magician is dead' on the wall. The matter was immediately reported to the police and an investigation has been ordered.

The victims are: Sabir Bhatti (70 years), Ruth Bibi (65 years), Shaheen Bibi (35 years), Rubina Bibi (36 years) , Sabia (10 years), Aquib (8 years), Rothia (9 months), Afzaal, a 14 year old visiting the family, and a child of 6 months.

Whilst the motive for the murders remains unclear at present, there are widespread rumors that one of the deceased, Sabir Bhatti, practiced black magic. There is no confirmation of this from reliable sources, however, it is a well known fact that Sabir Bhatti used to conduct regular Christian healing meetings. This fact alone may have aggravated local Muslims and extremist violence has not been ruled out.

The Chief Minster Sardar Mehatab Ahmed Khan who visited the scene of the crime, has ruled out any religious motive behind the killing. However with nothing having been stolen from the house, no other motive is forthcoming and local speculation is rife. The incident comes in the wake of government plans to implement full Shari'ah law which, some Christians leaders in Pakistan believe, has fuelled anti-minority sentiment in the country.

It has been reported that Christian community leaders in Peshawar have given the government three days in which to arrest the culprits or face province-wide protests. Some locals are already on hunger strike.

CSW condemns these barbaric murders and sends their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. Dr Simon Qadri adds, "Although the motive for these ghastly murders remains unclear, there is no doubt that this incident has left the Christian community in Pakistan terrified. Added to plans to implement full Shari'ah law, and the continuing use of the blasphemy law against Christians, there is little doubt that the Christian community will feel further isolated and insecure."

For further information contact Dr Simon Qadri or Tina Lambert at the CSW Office on 0181 942 8810.