Smoke screen and false news to hide Bhatti’s assassins
(Aug.10, 2011) The media in Pakistan are trying to explain the murder of a leading
Catholic politician, as the result of a family quarrel rather than a political assassination,
according to a lawyer who is tracking the case. Tahir Naveed, who is monitoring the
investigation into the death of Shahbaz Bhatti, said that media outlets are portraying
the death of Pakistan’s former Religious Affairs minister as the product of a personal
dispute. That explanation is inadequate, Naveed said because “Shahbaz had no personal
enemies.” Shahbaz Bhatti was killed after he voiced opposition to Pakistan’s
blasphemy laws, and the assassination took place, after the Catholic politician had
received multiple death threats. Naveed is convinced that the killing was the work
of Islamic zealots. But the media are reluctant to acknowledge that reality. “Let
us hope that the truth will come out,” the lawyer said. “Masses and special prayers”
will be held on Thursday, 11 August, to mark Minorities Day in Pakistan, and honour
the memory of the Catholic minister who gave his life to defend religious freedom,
equal rights, and a secular vision of Pakistan. A number of events and celebrations
are planned in other countries as well, including Italy. Prayers will be held in Rome’s
Basilica of St. Bartholomew on the Island, which contains Bhatti’s own copy of the
Bible. Bishop Rufin Anthony of Islamabad, also strongly rejected media claims about
Bhatti’s murder. “It is totally absurd,” he told AsiaNews. “The police keeps changing
version day to day.” For the prelate the media with their stories about vendettas
are adding insult to injury and are an affront to the intelligence of Christians.