LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are facing renewed criticism as a Christian charged in a high-profile case awaits a verdict that could carry the death penalty. The case against Ishtiaq Saleem underscores growing concerns about false blasphemy accusations by organized networks and the risks to religious minorities, according to ADF […]
Christian in Pakistan Awaits Verdict in High-Profile Blasphemy Case
Death penalty possible.
March 24, 2026 By -
Christian Acquitted in Baseless Blasphemy Case in Pakistan
Charge was second failed attempt at revenge prosecution.
March 19, 2026 By -
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A court has acquitted a 62-year-old Catholic of baseless blasphemy charges after the complainant said he had “forgiven” him and wished to withdraw the case, the victim’s lawyer said. Shoukat Javed had been charged with making derogatory remarks about figures revered in Islam under Section 298-A of the […]
Officials in Pakistan Defy Order to Correct Christians’ Religious ID
Failure leads to economic and social hardship.
March 19, 2026 By -
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Authorities in Pakistan failed to correct the religious identity of a Christian family in the national database despite a court directive, leaving them vulnerable to social pressure and economic hardship, sources said. Naseem Bibi, originally of Haveli Lakha in Kasur District, Punjab Province, said that she and her […]
Independent U.S. Body Urges CPC Redesignation for Pakistan
Blasphemy laws, forced conversions cited.
March 6, 2026 By -
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) this week urged the U.S. government to redesignate Pakistan as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom. The independent U.S. federal watchdog in its 2026 Annual Report asserted that religious freedom in […]
Muslims Torture Christian to Death in Pakistan, Sources Say
Killing made to look like suicide, family says.
March 5, 2026 By -
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A 21-year-old Christian farmworker in Pakistan was tortured to death on Wednesday (March 4) by his Muslim employers, who then staged his killing as suicide by hanging, the victim’s brother said. Dilshad Masih of Chak No. 50 Shumali in Sargodha District, Punjab Province, said that his younger brother, […]
Christian Boy Forcibly Converted to Islam in Pakistan, Sources Say
Muslim landowner holding him in illegal custody.
February 27, 2026 By -
LAHORE, Pakistan (Morning Star News) – A Muslim landowner in Pakistan forcibly converted to Islam a 14-year-old Christian employee and is holding him in illegal custody, sources said. Sharif Masih, a daily wage laborer and member of the New Apostolic Church in Pancho Baig Kotla village, Sheikhupura District in Punjab Province, said poverty compelled him […]
Police Said to Enable Abuse of Christian Girl in Pakistan
Officers, courts ignore evidence of forced conversion/marriage.
February 20, 2026 By -
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Police in Pakistan allegedly failed to act after a 14-year-old Christian girl was abducted, forcibly converted to Islam and married to a Muslim man despite official documents showing she is a minor, her father and legal counsel said. Basharat Masih, a daily wage laborer from Chak 47/12-L village […]
Christian’s Poverty Used to Force Conversion to Islam in Pakistan
Children stuck with Muslim designation on ID cards.
February 18, 2026 By -
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A brick kiln worker’s forced conversion to Islam in Pakistan’s national database has left his five children unable to have their Christian faith designated on their national identity cards, his son said. Sufyan Masih, who works at a kiln in Phoolnagar, Kasur District in Punjab Province, said that […]
Blind Christian Accused of Blasphemy in Pakistan Denied Bail
Attorney cites discrepancies in false charge.
February 16, 2026 By -
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A high court in Pakistan this month rejected bail for a blind Christian charged with blasphemy despite significant discrepancies in the police report and prosecution testimonies, his attorney said. Attorney Javed Sahotra said Justice Muhammad Jawad Zafar of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Feb. 4 dismissed the […]
Legislation to Combat Child Marriages Signed in Punjab, Pakistan
Landmark ordinance sets minimum age at 18 for both sexes.
February 12, 2026 By -
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – In a landmark move welcomed by Christian rights advocates, the governor of Pakistan’s Punjab Province on Wednesday (Feb. 11) signed into law an ordinance raising the minimum legal age of marriage to 18 and making child marriage a non-bailable offense punishable by up to seven years in prison. […]