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 […]
Christian in Pakistan Jailed under Controversial Blasphemy Law
Father of three children may be mentally unfit to stand trial, attorney says.
November 11, 2024 By -
Christians, Others Entrapped in Blasphemy Charges, Report Says
Muslim vigilante groups colluding with federal authorities.
November 5, 2024 By -
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.
November 1, 2024 By -
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.
October 29, 2024 By -
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.
October 28, 2024 By -
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.
October 25, 2024 By -
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.
October 24, 2024 By -
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.
October 23, 2024 By -
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.
October 3, 2024 By -
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.
September 30, 2024 By -
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 […]