Another Christian Accused of Blasphemy Released on Bail

Once again, judges can find no evidence.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A Christian falsely charged with blasphemy in three cases was released on bail this week after prosecutors failed to produce evidence against him, his attorney said. Zimran Asim, 35, was released on Wednesday (Oct. 30) after he won bail from the Lahore High Court on Sept. 24 in […]

Christian Jailed on Blasphemy Charge Released on Bail

Judges cite no witnesses or evidence.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A Christian jailed since June on blasphemy and terrorism charges in Pakistan was released on bail on Oct. 23 after a high court noted glaring loopholes in the police case against him, his attorney said. Chand Shamaun was arrested on June 23 and charged with insulting Islam under […]

UN Body Slams Pakistan for Human Rights Violations

Blasphemy law, abductions and forced conversions/marriages cited.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Authorities in Pakistan have failed to curb a range of human rights violations, including a sharp increase in blasphemy-related violence, the UN Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) noted last week. Abductions of girls who are then forced to convert to Islam, arbitrary detentions, disappearances and crackdown on political dissent […]

Christian Parents Regain Custody of Forcibly Converted/Married Girl

Judge recognizes 16-year-old made misleading statement under duress.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A court in Pakistan on Friday (Oct. 25) returned custody of a 16-year-old Christian girl to her parents after a Muslim had kidnapped and forcibly converted/married her, sources said. Diya Iftikhar was abducted from her home in village Chak No. 126-GB Sheroana in Jaranwala, Faisalabad District, Punjab Province, […]

Suspension of Pakistan from Commonwealth of Nations Sought

Rights advocates within country, however, disagree with initiative.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A coalition of 17 international human rights organizations is demanding Pakistan be suspended from the Commonwealth of Nations due its blasphemy laws and other rights violations, but local activists said that could result in more hardship for religious minorities. The coalition sent an open letter to the Commonwealth […]

Rare Bail Granted to Christian Woman Accused of Blasphemy

Lives of two falsely accused sisters remain in danger.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A trial court in Pakistan has granted rare bail to a Christian arrested on blasphemy charges, her attorney said. Additional Sessions Judge Gojra Waseem Mubarak granted post-arrest bail to Saima Masih, widow of Farhad Masih, on Sept. 10, though for security reasons it was not revealed until this […]

Muslim Employers Force Christian, 17, to Convert, Mother Says

Boy held in their illegal custody.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Muslim employers of a 17-year-old Christian who works at their gas company in Pakistan have forcibly converted him to Islam and are holding him in illegal custody, his mother said. Samina Javed, a brick kiln worker in Bhadru Minara village in Sheikhupura District, Punjab Province, said her son, […]

Christian Family Pressured to Drop Gang-Rape Charges in Pakistan

Muslim suspects issue threats. 

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Muslims who abducted a 17-year-old Christian girl and gang-raped her for 10 days are threatening her family to pressure them to withdraw charges, even as police have failed to arrest most of the suspects, her father said. The girl, whose identity is withheld as a rape victim, was […]

Christian 16-Year-Old Girl in Pakistan Kidnapped, Converted

Muslims force her to declare conversion and marriage, parents say.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A 16-year-old Christian girl in Pakistan was forced to convert to Islam and marry a Muslim after he and two accomplices kidnapped her this month, her parents said. Shahida Iftikhar and her husband Iftikhar Joseph were attending a wedding when their daughter, Diya Iftikhar, was abducted from their […]

Police Suspected of Killing another Blasphemy Suspect in Pakistan

Second accused Muslim in one week shot dead.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A week after police in Pakistan allegedly killed a Muslim accused of blasphemy, Muslims celebrated the murder of another blasphemy suspect by bestowing garlands on police suspected of killing him, sources said. The killing of a Muslim doctor in Sindh Province on Thursday (Sept. 19) after he was […]