Christian Sanitary Worker In Pakistan Faces Death Penalty In Blasphemy Case

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

ISLAMABAD (Worthy News) – A Christian sanitary worker in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad faces a possible death sentence after spending more than three years behind bars over alleged blasphemy against Islam.

Ishtiaq Saleem, 34, has been detained since November 2022 following accusations linked to alleged anti-Islamic content found on his mobile phone, Christians familiar with the case told Worthy News.

Advocates say the case highlights “the growing misuse” of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, which carry severe penalties, including execution by hanging, and are often used against minorities such as Christians.

Pakistan, a Muslim-majority nation of more than 240 million people, is home to an estimated 3 to 4 million Christians, roughly 1.5 percent of the population. The country ranks among the most difficult places in the world to be a Christian, placing near the top of the annual Open Doors World Watch List of countries where believers face persecution.

‘HONEY TRAPS’ AND ONLINE ACCUSATIONS

Christian advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill told Worthy News that social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook are increasingly being used to level blasphemy accusations.

He said some individuals employ so-called “honey traps,” a tactic in which a person is lured into online conversations or relationships under false pretenses, often to manipulate or entrap them. In Pakistan, activists say such methods are sometimes used to plant or fabricate evidence, leading to blasphemy charges and attempts at extortion.

“These laws are often wielded not only against those who criticize Islam but also against Christians and others who have done nothing to oppose the religion,” Gill said.

Saleem was arrested after alleged “sacrilegious images” of the Prophet Muhammad, deemed offensive to Islam, appeared on his phone.

COURT CASE NEARS CRITICAL STAGE

He has consistently denied wrongdoing, saying the material was “automatically downloaded” from a WhatsApp group without his knowledge and that he neither created nor shared it, Worthy News learned.

Despite these denials, Saleem has remained in custody, with multiple bail requests rejected by lower courts and later by Pakistan’s Supreme Court, which ordered the trial court to expedite proceedings, Gill said.

The case has reached a critical stage, with hearings completed for Saleem while proceedings continue for a co-accused, Muhammad Umair, according to trial observers.

Christian groups warn that those accused under blasphemy laws often face severe risks beyond the courtroom, including threats of mob violence or vigilante attacks.

FAMILY STRUGGLES AND CALLS FOR PRAYER

With uncertainty mounting, LEAD Ministries said it has called for prayers and international attention for Saleem’s case.

The organization, led by Pastor Imran Amanat, says it continues to document cases of alleged abuse while supporting minority communities through church planting, women’s empowerment, and pastoral care.

Gill said Christians accused of blasphemy frequently face “double jeopardy” — the threat of death or violence combined with extreme poverty.

In Saleem’s case, his detention has left his family struggling to survive while also fearing for their safety, supporters said.

GROWING CONCERNS OVER BLASPHEMY LAWS

Rights advocates say the increasing number of blasphemy accusations linked to social media reflects a broader pattern of intimidation and misuse of the law.

They warn that individuals can be targeted based on personal disputes, financial motives, or religious discrimination, “with devastating consequences.”

For Christians in Pakistan, cases like Saleem’s highlight what they view as an urgent need for legal reform and greater protection of religious minorities.

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