Pakistan Catholic Charged With Blasphemy

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

ISLAMABAD (Worthy News) – Pakistani Christians remained concerned about the plight of a Catholic man after a court ruled that he could be charged with blasphemy under Pakistan’s anti-terrorism law.

Anti-Terrorism Judge Abher Gul Khan in the city of Lahore this month rejected the application of 32-year-Catholic Imran Rehman seeking the elimination of the terrorism charges, trial observers said.

Rehman was reportedly detained by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city, on September 14.

Authorities accused him of sending a “blasphemous message” against Islam in a group of WhatsApp, the social messaging service, Christians said.

Rehman, who worked at a ticket office of the Lahore Metro Bus System, has denied the charge.

Rights activists have expressed concern about the impact of his detention on his family, saying he is the father of two young girls and the sole breadwinner for the family.

APPEAL FILED

His lawyer, Rana Abdul Hameed, said he would file a motion with the Lahore High Court to drop the terrorism charges.

News about the case against the Pakistani Catholic came after Christian families began fleeing their homes in Pakistan’s Punjab province over blasphemy allegations, Worthy News reported earlier.

Muslims threatened to attack them last week, and several believers were reportedly detained for alleged blasphemy against Islam.

Advocacy group Open Doors currently rates Pakistan the seventh-worst country in the world for Christians amid concerns about more pressure on believers.

In January this year, Pakistan’s parliament reportedly amended the Islamic country’s blasphemy laws. It now makes insults to the Prophet Mohammed’s wives, companions, and close relatives a “non-bailable offense”  punishable by three to ten years in prison, along with a fine.

Those accused of blasphemy against Islam’s prophet itself could potentially even face the death penalty, Worthy News established.

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