Prisoner Released

31 May 2006

Seven years ago on February 5, 1999, Amjad Masih was arrested on vagrancy charges in the Pakistani town of Jhang. While in police custody, he was accused of burning the Quran and charged under Pakistan's blasphemy law.

The only witnesses were the police who supposedly saw the incident. A High Court in eastern Pakistan upheld the sentence in August 7, 2003. Amjad claimed that police set up him and another Christian prisoner after they refused to pay a bribe.

The Voice of the Martyrs learned today that Amjad Masih was released from the Central Jail in Faisalabad on the evening of May 30, 2006. He is now at home but reclusive. Previous reports had indicated that Amjad was suffering from depression during his long incarceration.

Please pray as local Christians seek to minister to him and his family. Praise God for his release. Pray for his continued safety as those accused of blasphemy often face danger upon their release from Islamic militants.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, click here.

Pakistan

Current Ministry Projects
VOMC partners to train Christian women in sewing skills throughout Pakistan to provide a sustainable source of income for their families and encourage them in their faith and witness for Christ.

Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Women’s Ministry
Country Information
Population
247,653,551 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Punjabi (44.7), Pashtun [Pathan] (15.4), Sindhi (14.1), Saraiki (8.4) Muhajirs (7.6) Balochi (3.6), Other (6.3)

Religion (%)
Islam (96.5), Other - Christian and Hindu (3.5)

Leader
President Asif Ali Zardari (2024)

Government type
Federal parliamentary republic

Legal system
Common law system with Islamic law influence

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Pakistan
Pray that amendments will be made to Pakistan's existing blasphemy laws so that the country's citizens – including its children – will be protected from injustice and abuse. May our Lord's mercy and justice prevail, not only in the judiciary system but also in the hearts of the country's militants. Ask Him to transform their "hearts of stone" into hearts that are receptive to His love, mercy and the workings of His Holy Spirit – not only for the purpose of protecting the Christian minority but also for the salvation of their own eternal souls.