LOS ANGELES (Morning Star News) – A court in Pakistan today overturned the death sentence of a Christian convicted under Pakistan’s “blasphemy” laws and ordered him released, according to an advocacy group. Younis Masih, who has languished in jail since his arrest on Sept. 10, 2005, was declared innocent by Lahore High Court justices Khaja Amtiaz […]
Pakistani Court Overturns Younis Masih’s ‘Blasphemy’ Conviction, Death Sentence
Beaten, tortured Christian spent 7.5 years in jail.
April 3, 2013 By -
Christian Victims of Riot Damage in Pakistan Disillusioned, Fearful
Government promises leave residents of Joseph Colony empty.
March 22, 2013 By -
LAHORE, Pakistan (Morning Star News) – Christians living in tents here after Muslims destroyed more than 175 homes following a blasphemy accusation are disillusioned that authorities have not compensated them, but for some the greatest pain is what cannot be replaced. “I am still unable to recover from the trauma after seeing my house burnt […]
Islamic Mobs Destroy Christian Area of Lahore, Pakistan
Authorities order police to allow rampage, but arrest 150 Christians for protesting.
March 11, 2013 By -
LAHORE, Pakistan (Morning Star News) – Muslim mobs upset over an alleged derogatory comment about the prophet of Islam burned down more than 180 Christian-owned houses and shops and at least two church buildings here on Saturday (March 9) after authorities told police to “let them vent their grief and anger,” officials said. Lahore’s impoverished […]
Inquiry into Death of Pakistani Christian in Custody Faces a World of Obstacles
Political, religious and societal dynamics favor the murderers of 65-year-old tortured to death.
February 26, 2013 By -
LAHORE, Pakistan (Morning Star News) – The murderers of a 65-year-old Christian in Pakistan are not likely to face justice in this world. A miasma of political and religious dynamics makes it unlikely. A Pakistani court has ordered a judicial inquiry into the death of Niyamat Masih, who died in police custody from torture. Officers tortured […]
Pastor in Pakistan Released on Bail after Mistaken Blasphemy Accusation
Complainant withdraws statement, but accused still faces charge, threat of violence.
February 25, 2013 By -
LAHORE, Pakistan (Morning Star News) – In a rare instance in Pakistan, a judge granted bail to a pastor accused of blaspheming Islam because the complainant admitted that he had mistakenly accused him, attorneys said. Karma Patras, a 55-year-old pastor of Bado Malhi, Sangla Hill, had been languishing in Sheikhupura District Jail since October after […]
Alleged Kidnapper Threatens Family of Christian Girl in Pakistan
Police refuse to arrest politician’s aide who allegedly forced 15-year-old to convert, marry.
February 6, 2013 By -
LAHORE, Pakistan (Morning Star News) – A powerful Pakistani politician’s aid who abducted a Christian girl from her home in Karachi has warned her parents that the same fate awaits their other daughters unless they drop charges against him and leave the city, the family said. Khursheed Bibi told Morning Star News that Ghaji Khan, […]
Christian Girl in Pakistan Allegedly Forced to Convert, Marry
Official’s aide, accused of running prostitution ring, kidnapped 15-year-old, mother says.
January 22, 2013 By -
KARACHI, Pakistan (Morning Star News) – A powerful Pakistani official’s aide who is allegedly running a prostitution ring here has taken a Christian girl from her home and forced her to convert to Islam and marry him, according to the girl’s family. Khursheed Bibi, a midwife and mother of 15-year-old Asma Masih, told Morning Star News […]
Will We Be Their Voice?
Bill would create special envoy for religious minorities in the Middle East/South Central Asia.
January 17, 2013 By -
(Morning Star News) – Christians worldwide just celebrated the birth of Jesus. For many in the West this was a festive season marked by worship services, gift-giving and time with family and friends. But for the church in the Middle East, fear of persecution cast a long, dark shadow over the Christmas holiday. Oppression […]
Swedish Christian Worker Dies from Pakistan Shooting
Bible school teacher, 70, gunned down by suspected Islamic extremists in Lahore.
December 13, 2012 By -
LAHORE, Pakistan (Morning Star News) – Birgitta Almby, Bible school teacher and director of a Christian-run technical training institute in Lahore, died last night in her native Sweden from wounds sustained in a Dec. 3 shooting here by suspected Islamic extremists. She was 70. Shot by two armed men outside her house in Lahore’s upscale Model […]
Oppressive Powers in Pakistan Threaten Christian Lives
Simmering social, economic, religious pressures can explode at any time.
December 5, 2012 By -
The author is the director of the Center for Law and Justice in Lahore, Pakistan. In a land where “Christian” is synonymous with lowest-caste “untouchable,” many Muslims here believe Parvaiz Masih deserved the series of attacks he and his wife suffered for asking a Muslim to allow him and his donkey cart to pass. […]