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 Fearing Forced Marriages in Pakistan Find Hope
Court order aims to halt kidnapped girls from being forced to convert, wed.
March 6, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
Christians in Jaranwala, Pakistan Acquitted of Blasphemy Charges
Investigation showed they were framed.
March 4, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
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.
February 28, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
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.
February 26, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
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.
February 19, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
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.’
February 15, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
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.
February 15, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
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.
February 14, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
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.
February 13, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
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.
February 9, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
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 […]