More Christians in Pakistan Accused of Sending ‘Blasphemous’ Text Messages

Married couple jailed under laws that call for death or life in prison.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Morning Star News) – A Christian couple was arrested on Saturday (July 20) for allegedly sending blasphemous text messages to a Muslim cleric in Gojra, a religiously volatile city where a week before a young Christian man was sentenced to life in prison on the same charge. Shafqat Masih, 43, and his 40-year-old wife […]

Christian in Pakistan Sent to Prison for ‘Blasphemy,’ in Spite of Accuser’s Retraction

Clamoring Islamists pressure judge, threaten attorney.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Morning Star News) – A court in Pakistan on Saturday (July 13) sentenced a Christian to life in prison for alleged blasphemy in spite of the complainant retracting the accusation and admitting police pressured him into making it, his attorney said. Attorney Javed Sahotra told Morning Star News by phone that prosecutors in the […]

Calls for Attacks on Christians Emanate from Mosque Loudspeakers in Pakistan Villages

Tensions high where candidate who lost election strives to incite violence.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Morning Star News) – A Muslim political candidate suspected of murdering a Christian has instigated calls from mosque loudspeakers for attacks on Christians, whom he blames for his May 11 election loss. Tensions were high in Punjab Province’s Okara district after provincial assembly seat candidate Mehr Abdul Sattar, sought by police in connection with […]

Islamic Horde Attacks Christian Area of Gujranwala, Pakistan

At least five Christians injured, two seriously, in Muslim aggression following dispute among youths.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Morning Star News) – Incited by calls from mosque loudspeakers after a dispute between Muslim and Christian youths, a Muslim mob attacked a Christian neighborhood in Gujranwala today, injuring at least five Christians and damaging a church and dozens of shops and vehicles. Only a few hours after Pakistan’s Supreme Court rebuked Punjab Police […]

Pakistani Court Overturns Younis Masih’s ‘Blasphemy’ Conviction, Death Sentence

Beaten, tortured Christian spent 7.5 years in jail.

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 […]

Christian Victims of Riot Damage in Pakistan Disillusioned, Fearful

Government promises leave residents of Joseph Colony empty.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, […]