Acquittal Gives Christian Hope for 2nd Blasphemy Case

Judge cites double jeopardy.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A Christian sentenced to death in one blasphemy case in Pakistan was acquitted on Feb. 20 in another related to the same incident, with the judge citing double jeopardy, his attorney said. Police illegally charged Noman Masih, 24, twice for the same incident, but he remains on death […]

Pastor in Nepal Seeks to Change Prison Term into Fine

Order of incarceration issued more than a month ago.

NEW DELHI (Morning Star News) – More than a month after the Supreme Court of Nepal ordered Pastor Keshab Raj Acharya to serve one year in prison under a law against proselytizing, he seeks to convert the sentence into a fine. He won’t be able to seek the change until March, though, and the Supreme Court […]

Christian Jailed in Pakistan Despite another’s Blasphemy Confession

Catholic father still incarcerated after six months on false charge, sources say.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A Catholic has languished in jail for six months on a blasphemy charge even though a teenage boy has confessed and told police the 34-year-old father had no part in the acts, sources said. Zimran Asim’s family has been forced to leave their home after officials of the […]

Christian Sentenced to Life in Prison under Blasphemy Law

Judge refrains from issuing mandatory death sentence.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A judge sentenced a Christian to life in prison under Pakistan’s blasphemy statutes for a social media message that relatives say was posted using a phone stolen from him, sources said. Fanson Shahid, 56, had been beaten in his home in Lahore when arrested in March 2022 and […]

Christian in Pakistan Released after Accuser Admits False Blasphemy Allegation

Discharge two days after arrest a ‘miracle.’

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – In a rare move in Pakistan, police discharged a 72-year-old Christian from a blasphemy case after the complainant admitted she had falsely accused him, sources said. Younis Bhatti, known as Bhagat, had been arrested and charged with desecrating the Quran under Section 295-B of Pakistan’s blasphemy statutes, which […]

Christian Homes in Pakistan Hit with Gunshot, Fuel Bombs

Political opposition adds to religious tensions.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Muslims fired gunshots and threw fuel bombs at the homes of Christians in a village in Pakistan at 2 a.m. on Monday (Feb. 12) for supporting an opposing political party in last week’s elections, sources said. No one was hurt in the attacks in Chak 6/11-L village in […]

Pakistan Supreme Court rebukes Punjab over Jaranwala attacks

Chief justice orders officials to prosecute culprits and report back.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Tuesday (Feb. 13) reprimanded the Punjab Province government over its progress report on anti-Christian attacks in Jaranwala, terming it “worthy of being thrown into the dustbin.” The court ordered officials to submit a new report within 10 days. Heading a three-judge bench hearing a […]

Elderly Christian Charged with Blasphemy in Pakistan

Church member claiming to have converted to Islam accuses him.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A 72-year-old Christian in Pakistan was arrested and charged with blasphemy on Saturday (Feb. 10) based on a false accusation filed in retaliation over a property dispute, sources said. Younis Bhatti, known as Bhagat, was charged with desecrating the Quran under Section 295-B of Pakistan’s blasphemy statutes, which […]

Christians Seek Justice following Attacks in Jaranwala, Pakistan

Advocacy group files plea with Supreme Court.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Citing lax government response to Islamic extremist attacks on a Christian community last August, an advocacy group on Wednesday (Feb. 7) filed another plea for justice with the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Implementation of Minority Rights Forum (IMRF) Chairman Samuel Makson filed the application with a request for […]

Muslim Gunmen Kill 14-Year-Old Christian Boy in Pakistan

Assailants open fire shouting threats against Christians.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Muslim gunmen shouting threats against Christians shot a 14-year-old Christian dead on Monday (Feb. 5) in Pakistan, sources said. Sunil Masih and other Christians were standing in a market in the Mandiala Warraich area of Gujranwala District, Punjab Province, on Monday evening when six Muslim men armed with […]