LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A judge in Pakistan on Saturday (May 10) acquitted a Christian of blasphemy and terrorism charges, noting that prosecutors had “miserably failed” to establish the case against him, his attorney said. Chand Shamaun, father of two minor children, was arrested on June 23, 2024 and charged with insulting […]
Christian Father in Pakistan Acquitted of Blasphemy Charges
Case ‘frivolous and fabricated,’ attorney says.
Record Number of Blasphemy Cases Recorded in Pakistan
Rights watchdog cites widespread abuse of notorious law.
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A rights watchdog chronicled a record 344 new blasphemy cases in Pakistan in 2024, highlighting increased abuse of the country’s condemned blasphemy laws. Of the 344 new blasphemy cases, 70 percent of the accused were Muslims, 6 percent were Christians, 9 percent Hindus and 14 percent Ahmadis, according […]
Christian Sentenced to Death under Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law
Punishment criticized as excessive.
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A Christian accused of writing blasphemous content that sparked violent riots in Jaranwala, Pakistan in August 2023 was sentenced to death along with other harsh penalties on Good Friday (April 18). Pervaiz Masih had been arrested and charged under Pakistan’s widely condemned blasphemy statutes, including 295-A against inciting […]
Arson Attempt on Church Building in Pakistan Thwarted
Police fraudulently portray attack as robbery, pastor says.
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Two unidentified men attempted to set fire to a church building in Pakistan on Saturday night (April 5), but timely intervention by the pastor thwarted the attack, sources said. Pastor Tanveer Boota of the Bethaniya Pentecostal Church in Gulshan Basti, in the Musharraf Colony area of Phoolnagar, Kasur […]
Armed Robbers Gang-Rape Christian’s Wife in Pakistan
Gunmen assault mother of three after learning couple’s faith.
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Gunmen robbing a Catholic last week in Pakistan decided to tie him up and gang-rape his wife after learning the couple’s faith, sources said. Adnan Masih, a 34-year-old brick kiln worker in Faisalabad District’s Chak 62-GB Channan village, and his wife were headed home on a motorcycle on […]
Judge in Pakistan Sentences Killer of Christian to Death
Convict’s relatives continue to threaten slain man’s family.
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A judge in Pakistan on Thursday (March 27) sentenced to death a Muslim who murdered a 20-year-old Christian in the presence of his family members, sources said. Saima Riyasat, additional sessions judge of Pasrur, Sialkot District, handed the country’s maximum punishment for murder to Muhammad Zubair for killing […]
Christian in Pakistan Charged with Blasphemy for Facebook Post
Impoverished sweeper says he has no knowledge of alleged material.
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Federal agents in Pakistan last week arrested a Christian under a blasphemy law mandating the death penalty in relation to material that appeared on Facebook groups without his knowledge, sources said. Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials took 24-year-old Arsalan Gill of Railway Quarters in Mughalpura, Lahore, into custody […]
Muslim Slashes Throat of Christian Co-Worker in Pakistan
Suspect accused Waqas Masih of blasphemy.
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A Muslim in Pakistan on Friday (March 21) slashed the throat of a Christian co-worker on allegations that he had committed blasphemy by touching an Islamic textbook “with unclean hands,” sources said. The attack on Waqas Masih, 22, took place at Subhan Allah Paper Mills in the Sharaqpur […]
Christian’s Release Delayed after Bail Granted in Blasphemy Cases
Under pressure from Islamists, judge finds pretexts for denying freedom.
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – An 18-year-old Christian is still languishing in jail a month after winning bail in all three blasphemy cases against him as a trial court is delaying his release, his father said. Sargodha Additional Sessions Judge Naveed Khaliq initially gave the family of Akash Karamat, who has been jailed […]
Deterioration of Human Rights in Pakistan Condemned at UN Event
Trade and aid must be conditional on real reforms, advocates say.
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Religious freedom advocates this month strongly condemned deterioration of human rights in Pakistan, particularly continued abuse of the country’s harsh blasphemy laws and forced conversions of minority girls. They delivered the scathing rebukes during the 58th Regular Session of the U.N. Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva on […]