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 […]

Inquiry Ordered into Blasphemy Entrapment Group in Pakistan

Islamabad High Court orders establishment of investigative commission.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A high court has advised the Pakistan government to establish a commission to investigate alleged collusion between the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Islamist clerics to entrap innocent people in false blasphemy charges, sources said. Justice Ejaz Ishaq Khan of the Islamabad High Court on Feb. 2 ordered […]

Christian Girl, 12, Forcibly Converted/Married in Pakistan

Muslim neighbor, 35, takes her to another province, father says. 

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A married, 35-year-old Muslim neighbor of a 12-year-old Christian girl abducted her and took her to another province, where he forcibly converted her to Islam and married her, her father said. Saba Shafique was abducted by Muhammad Ali from outside her home in the Walton Model Colony No. […]

Muslims Kidnap 12-Year-Old Christian Girl in Pakistan

Parents fear she could be forcibly converted/married or sold into sexual slavery.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Three Muslims in Pakistan abducted a 12-year-old Christian girl at gunpoint from her home and have threatened to sell her into sexual slavery, her parents said. Sumera Gulzar, a Catholic resident of Chak 55/2L village in Okara District, Punjab Province, said that her daughter, Ariha, was abducted […]

EU Issues Warning to Pakistan about Human Rights

Preferential trade status could be in jeopardy.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Pakistan’s preferential trade status could be jeopardized if it does not address human rights concerns, including controversial blasphemy laws, forced marriages/conversions of minority girls and freedom of religion, a European Union (EU) delegation said on Friday (Jan. 31). The delegation led by EU Special Representative on Human Rights […]

Mentally Challenged Christian in Pakistan Charged with Blasphemy

Muslim, police file case despite knowing his condition.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Police in Pakistan this week arrested a mentally challenged Christian on blasphemy charges despite being aware of his condition, sources said. In Sahiwal, Punjab Province, Ghala Mandi police on Monday (Jan. 26) arrested Farhan Javed Masih, 28, after a local villager, Muhammad Bilal Khan, accused him of speaking […]

Christian Brothers in Pakistan Acquitted of Blasphemy

Defense shows evidence was fabricated, attorney says.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A court in Pakistan on Saturday (Jan. 25) acquitted Christian twin brothers of a false blasphemy accusation as the prosecution failed to prove charges against them, their attorney said. Kasur Additional Sessions Judge Farzana Shahzad ordered that 18-year-olds Sahil Shahid (known as Kalu) and Raheel Shahid (known as […]

Five Muslims Abduct Christian Girl, 14, in Pakistan

Family fears she is forcibly converted to Islam for ‘marriage.’

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Five Muslims on Jan. 9 abducted a 14-year-old Christian girl from outside her home in Pakistan, her father said. Sharif Masih, of the Korpur area of Sialkot, Punjab Province, said he fears the kidnappers may try to forcibly convert his daughter, Saneha Sharif, to Islam and force her […]

Islamists Collude with Pakistani Officials in False Blasphemy Cases

Five victims tortured to death in custody, rights attorneys say.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – An Islamist gang trapped more than 450 people in false blasphemy charges in recent years in Pakistan, including five who were tortured death in custody, according to human rights lawyers. The “blasphemy business group” has devastated numerous families with the collusion of federal investigators, said attorneys Usman Warraich, […]