Judge Implicated in Blasphemy Entrapment Ring Resigns

Lahore High Court justice cites 'personal reasons.'

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A high court judge in Pakistan resigned last week after a media report exposed his alleged close ties with a criminal gang falsely charging Christians and others with blasphemy, sources said. Justice Chaudhry Abdul Aziz of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday (March 6) sent his resignation […]

Report Shows Increase in Anti-Christian Incidents in India

The 640 documented cases in 2024 are only a part of the actual total.

NEW DELHI (Morning Star News) – Christians in India suffered high levels of violence and discrimination in 2024, with 640 cases marking a continued increase over prior years, according to the Evangelical Fellowship of India’s Religious Liberty Commission (EFIRLC). The 640 incidents compared with 601 cases documented in 2023 and marked nearly a quadrupling of incidents […]

Police Free Christian Girl from Kidnapper in Pakistan

12-year-old forcibly converted to Islam and coerced into sham marriage.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A 12-year-old Christian girl reunited with her parents last week after she was abducted two months prior by a Muslim neighbor who forcibly converted her to Islam and coerced her into marrying him, sources said. Saba Shafique was abducted by Muhammad Ali, 35, from outside her home in […]

Christian Couple in India Convicted of ‘Forced Conversion’ Wins Bail

Sentenced to five years in prison, pastor and wife appeal.

NEW DELHI (Morning Star News) – A Christian couple in India convicted of forcible conversion despite lack of evidence and sentenced to five years in prison has won bail while they appeal, sources said. Pastor Jose Pappachen, 58, and his wife Sheeja Pappachen, 57, were released on Feb. 19 after a Sessions Court in Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar […]

Christian Mother in Pakistan Abducted, Forcibly Converted/Wedded

Married Muslim co-worker still threatening her husband.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A Muslim in Pakistan who twice abducted a Christian mother raped her, fraudulently converted her to Islam and fabricated an Islamic marriage, sources said. The suspect, Muhammad Asif Sadiq, is still threatening her husband, demanding that he return his “wife” and withdraw charges against him, said Asif Maih, […]

Assassinated Christian Lawmaker in Pakistan Honored

Shahbaz Bhatti slain by Taliban gunmen in 2011.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Christian rights activists and church leaders in Pakistan vowed to step up efforts to protect persecuted Christians as they honored the memory of assassinated politician Shahbaz Bhatti on Sunday (March 2), the 14th anniversary of his death. Bhatti, an ardent advocate for a diverse, multicultural and multireligious society, […]

Kidnapped Girl in Pakistan Who Escaped Is Abducted Again

Suspect and accomplice seize her at gunpoint, father says.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A Muslim in Pakistan who kidnapped and forcibly converted a Christian girl who later escaped has abducted her again, her father said. Salman Masih said that Arsalan Ali again kidnapped his 15-year-old daughter, Muskan Salman, as the family visited their remote hometown, Tando Ghulam Ali in Badin District, […]

National TV Show Dares to Portray ‘Blasphemy’ Violence in Pakistan

Entertainment company lauded for unprecedented treatment of taboo subject.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Church leaders and others in Pakistan lauded the producers and cast of a TV drama for risking their lives to broadcast an unprecedented, national media portrayal of the violent injustice resulting from blasphemy laws. In the final episode of Hum TV’s drama series, “Tan Man Neel o Neel […]

Christian in Pakistan Jailed for 17 Months Wins Bail

Now 18, Akash Karamat accused of blasphemy in three cases.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – An 18-year-old Christian in Pakistan imprisoned for more than 17 months on blasphemy charges was expected to be released on bail next week, his lawyer said. Akash Karamat had won bail on Dec. 19 for one of three blasphemy cases filed against him, and judges last week granted […]

Young Christian Woman in Pakistan Escapes Muslim Captor

18-year-old endures six months of terror.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – An 18-year-old woman has been reunited with her Catholic family after six months of captivity, forced conversion to Islam and coerced marriage to the Muslim who abducted her, sources said. Huma Allah Ditta’s ordeal began when she failed to return home from her job at a call center […]