Christian, 18, Charged with Blasphemy in Pakistan Wins Bail

Former classmate accused him for not converting to Islam.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – An 18-year-old Christian charged with blasphemy was released on bail on Thursday (March 14), saying his faith sustained him during a week of solitary confinement. Ashbeel Ghauri was arrested on March 6 after a former classmate, Muslim Sheraz Gulistan, accused him of blaspheming Islam in a WhatsApp discussion […]

Christian in Pakistan Accused of Blasphemy for Refusing to Convert, He Says

Former classmates engaged him in religious discussion.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A former classmate of an 18-year-old Christian in Pakistan accused him of blasphemy after failing to convert him to Islam, impeding the accused’s college studies and his family’s hopes for a better future, sources said. Police arrested Ashbeel Ghauri from his home in Attock city, Punjab Province on […]

Christian Girl, 10, Kidnapped and Forcibly Converted in Pakistan

Parents fear she could be trafficked.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – The Christian parents of a 10-year-old girl in Pakistan who was abducted and forcibly converted to Islam last month fear she could be sold to sex traffickers, sources said. A month after Laiba Suhail was abducted from her home in Chak 233-RB Ikhlaq Town, Faisalabad District, Punjab Province […]

Christian Rape Victim in Pakistan Pressured to Withdraw Charges

Muslim suspects influence police, sources say.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Police in Pakistan are pressuring a young Christian woman to withdraw charges against two Muslims who raped, blackmailed and tried to forcibly convert her to Islam, sources said. The 26-year-old woman, a resident of Islamabad whose name is withheld as a rape victim, said Sub-Inspector Muhammad Mehboob was […]

Halt to Abuse of Blasphemy Laws Sought in Pakistan

Multi-pronged approach to religious intolerance needed, advocates say.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – With a soaring number of blasphemy allegations in Pakistan in 2023, rights activists are reiterating demands for legislation against blatant abuse of the country’s notorious blasphemy laws. At least 329 persons were accused of blasphemy under the law in 2023, according to the Center for Social Justice (CSJ), […]

Christians Fearing Forced Marriages in Pakistan Find Hope

Court order aims to halt kidnapped girls from being forced to convert, wed.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – The Lahore High Court’s recent directive to strictly enforce anti-child marriage laws has raised hope among Pakistan’s Christians of some protection against their underage girls being forced to convert to Islam and wed their kidnappers, sources said. In a landmark interim order issued by Justice Anwar Ul Haq […]

Christians in Jaranwala, Pakistan Acquitted of Blasphemy Charges

Investigation showed they were framed.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A judge in Pakistan on Friday (March 1) acquitted two Christian brothers of false blasphemy charges that had led to Muslims attacking Christian homes and businesses in Jaranwala last year, sources said. Faisalabad Anti-Terrorism Judge Muhammad Hussain ordered the acquittal of Umar Saleem, alias Rocky, and Umair Saleem, […]

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 […]

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 […]