A Pakistani Christian, Nasreen Bibi, 38, was illegally detained by the local police on a false allegation that she stole gold ornaments from the Deputy Inspector General of Police’s (DIG) house where she was a governess of the DIG’s 6-year-old daughter.

About three years ago, Nasreen was also appointed as a police constable after the DIG’s wife approved of her.  “I was performing my job well but my Muslim colleagues always bore malice and never liked me because I was doing a respectable job,” Nasreen told Community Development Initiative (CDI) that partners with the ACLJ.

On August 15, the DIG moved his residence to another place.  During the move, some gold ornaments and 60,000 rupees (worth $750) were allegedly stolen.  Two days later, the DIG’s other employees accused Nasreen of the theft.  Nasreen contacted the CDI for legal assistance through her pastor.  She told CDI that she was not present at the DIG’s residence when he moved.

On August 31, Nasreen went to work but she was stopped outside the DIG’s residence and was sent to Choona Mandi Police Station.  There are about 20 employees who worked at the DIG’s residence, but none of them was arrested or implicated except Nasreen—the only Christian employee.  Nasreen said that all her colleagues blamed her because of her faith.

The CDI filed a habeas corpus petition in the Court of the Sessions Judge to recover Nasreen from the illegal detention.  A court official went to Choona Mandi Police Station where Nasreen was kept, but the police had already moved her to an unknown location.  Nasreen’s father told CDI that he had visited his daughter in the police station just one day before the court official arrived.  The court official then went to the Race Course Police Station where women detainees are usually kept, but did not find Nasreen.

CDI’s attorney was scheduled to appear before the Court on September 2 to present the court official’s findings and Nasreen’s father’s testimony.  However, before the court hearing, the Investigation Officer, Mian Aslam, called and warned CDI to withdraw the habeas corpus petition or he would file robbery charges against Nasreen.  He also said that both parties would be harmed if the case went to the Court.  However, he agreed to release Nasreen if the case was withdrawn.  CDI’s attorney agreed considering Nasreen’s best interest and her safety.  After the Court disposed of the case, the investigation officer brought Nasreen to CDI and said that he did not find Nasreen guilty of any crime.

According to a press release by Transparency International Pakistan, the police are the most corrupt sector in the country.¹  In a recent CDI case, a Christian pastor’s son was brutally tortured by the police after a false allegation of robbery.  He was paralyzed after the police broke his backbone in an attempt to obtain a false confession.

CDI is glad to inform the ACLJ that Nasreen is free of any charges and is ready to resume her job.