Pakistani Christian Man to be Hanged During Lent

According to ASSIST News Service, Pakistani Christians on Friday March 7 staged a protest demonstration after March 12 had been fixed as the date for execution of a Christian man, Zahid Masih, during Lent. Masih was serving in the Pakistan Army as a janitor. His trouble began when he was accused of murdering a 9 year old Muslim boy, Muhammad Adnan. The Sessions court of Peshawar tried Masih and awarded him 14 year rigorous imprisonment in 2005. However, the military court handed him a death sentence on March 10, 2006. Masih was earlier scheduled to be executed on January 30, 2008 but his execution was postponed until February 20, 2008. The Christians of Pakistani city of Multan gathered in front of Press Club Multan and chanted slogans in favour of Masih and against fixing of controversial date for Masih's execution. "Release Zahid Masih, Respect our fasting month (Lent)," shouted the charged Christians who were standing behind a black banner that was emblazoned with slogans in favour of Zahid Masih.