Rape, Attempted Kidnapping Drive Christian Family into Hiding

Another girl threatened with forced conversion/marriage in Pakistan. 

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A pastor and his family have gone into hiding after a Muslim neighbor who raped his 14-year-old daughter tried to kidnap her and force her to convert to Islam and marry him, he said. The daughter of Pastor Aslam Masih of Muridke, Sheikhupura District, Punjab Province, was on […]

Young Christian Woman Rescued from Forced Conversion/Marriage

Catholic 18-year-old lured to another province in Pakistan.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Javed Masih heaved a sigh of relief last week when he saw his 18-year-old daughter for the first time since she went missing for five months in Pakistan and was forcibly converted and married to a Muslim. Sana Javed, at 18 the youngest of his seven children, had […]

Young Christian Woman Seeks Justice after Rape in Pakistan

Police refuse to arrest suspect, family says.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – An 18-year-old Catholic woman in Pakistan said police have refused to arrest a Muslim who abducted and raped her at gunpoint last week. Imaan Khurrum of the Kot Ranjeet Singh area of Sheikhupura District, Punjab Province, told a Christian news channel on YouTube that Ansar Shah abducted her […]

UN Body Urges Pakistan to End or Amend Blasphemy Laws

Human Rights Committee issues concluding recommendations.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Expressing alarm over an increase in false blasphemy accusations in Pakistan, the UN Human Rights Committee last week urged repeal or amending of the country’s harsh blasphemy laws. The committee noted that false blasphemy accusations led to Islamist mob violence and recommended amending the laws in accordance with […]

Christian in Pakistan Jailed under Controversial Blasphemy Law

Father of three children may be mentally unfit to stand trial, attorney says.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Fearing Islamist rage, residents in an area of Lahore on Nov. 3 fled their homes after a Christian was arrested under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, sources said. Panic spread in Ward No. 12 of Kahna in Lahore, Punjab Province, after area Muslims accused Zafar Iqbal of setting fire to […]

Christians, Others Entrapped in Blasphemy Charges, Report Says

Muslim vigilante groups colluding with federal authorities.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Muslim vigilante groups are working with federal authorities to lure young people into sharing blasphemous content on social media in order to put them behind bars, according to an investigation by Pakistan’s National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR). A steep increase in blasphemy cases this year, many of […]

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, […]