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Pakistan

• Christian Falsely Accused of Blasphemy

  

  On October 5th, James Masih from Layyah, Punjab, was accused of blasphemy by a patient in the hospital where he worked. Although the accused Christian man was a sanitation worker at the hospital, his duties also included assisting outpatients and staff in the emergency ward.

• Parents' Appeal for Custody Denied

  

  A Christian family in Rawalpindi, a city located in the Pakistani state of Punjab, are anxiously waiting for the safe return of their 13-year-old daughter, nearly four months after her abduction. Zarvia Pervaiz was kidnapped, forcibly converted and married in April to a man the family had formerly trusted.

• Threatened Christian Mother of Five in Shelter

  

  A Christian woman and her five children have been forced into hiding after receiving death threats demanding that she convert to Islam. Despite these warnings, Naseem Bibi has refused to abandon her faith, even though it means having to flee home with her five children, who range in age from eight to 22.

• Bail Granted in Three Blasphemy Cases

  

  In February 2021, Salamat Mansha Masih, along with his friend Haroon Ayub Masih, were accused of blasphemy after reading the Bible aloud at a public park located in Lahore and offering a Christian book to a Muslim man. While Haroon and his family escaped by going into hiding, Salamat was detained. (To review a previously posted report on this situation, visit this page.)

• Police Intervene in Mob Attack

  

  On Sunday, August 7th, hundreds of Christian families in Lahore fled their homes when they saw a large mob marching towards their church building. It was only through the intervention of police that the building was preserved and an attack on the Christians' homes had been averted.

• Young Teen Bride Missing

  

  In May of last year, the family of Nayab Gill was devastated when custody of the 13-year-old girl was given over to Saddam Hayat, a Muslim man who had forcibly converted her to Islam and then married her. Rejecting all evidence documenting her young age, the Pakistani courts decided that the marriage was legal. (See this report for more details.)

• Christian Mechanic Sentenced to Death

  

  A Christian mechanic has been sentenced to death for blasphemy after he allegedly said that Jesus Christ is the "true prophet." The incident happened in 2017, and Ashfaq Masih has been in prison ever since. After court hearings were repeatedly cancelled or delayed, he was eventually found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging on July 4th.

• Hearing Date Set for Detained Christian

  

  Shagufta Kiran was arrested in July 2021 for allegedly forwarding a blasphemous message in a WhatsApp group chat. A recent report detailed how the Christian woman's hearings have been repeatedly delayed by the Pakistani courts (read more). This week, the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) stated in an email that her next hearing date is now set for July 16th.

• Mixed Outcomes for Christians Accused of Blasphemy

  

  In February 2018, 17-year-old Patras Masih allegedly shared content on social media which some found to be blasphemous. In the wake of this post, riots broke out in his neighbourhood of Lahore. Patras was taken into custody and authorities also tortured his cousin Sajid, who jumped from a window to escape, resulting in serious injuries.

• Death Sentences Upheld for Alleged Blog Posts

  

  In 2014, two Pakistani brothers, Qaisar and Amoon Ayub, were arrested and accused of blasphemy for posting online material – allegations that go back to 2009. In 2018, both Christian men were found guilty and subsequently sentenced to death (see this report). Since that time, there have been appeals to their convictions and sentences.