Christian Man Detained Over Blasphemy Accusations In Pakistan
by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
LAHORE, PAKISTAN (Worthy News) – A young Christian has been detained in Pakistan’s second-largest city after he was reported to local police over alleged “blasphemous” remarks about Islam’s Prophet Muhammad, which could carry the death penalty in the Muslim-majority nation.
A police document obtained by Worthy News referred to a perceived “serious” incident in Lahore where Christian Amir Masih, a resident of the city’s Nishat Colony, was accused of blasphemy.
The complaint was filed by a Muslim man, Sanwar Ali, “at Cantt Police Station, Lahore District, under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code,” the document said.
“This section relates to allegations of insulting the Prophet Muhammad and carries the most severe punishment under the law. The situation has sparked growing concern within the local Christian community and rights advocates,” added Sardar Mushtaq Gill, founder of Christian advocacy group LEAD Ministries Pakistan. “He had fled the scene Saturday after an argument in a shop, but later police raided his home and arrested him. Amir is now in custody,” Gill told Worthy News on Sunday.
Pastor Imran Amanat, leader of LEAD, explained to Worthy News, “We have not yet received the version or perspective of the accused. Therefore, we can only appeal to the authorities for a thorough and impartial investigation. These days, there are growing concerns that some individuals are misusing such allegations as a means of blackmail and personal gain.”
Gill told Worthy News that his group has urged authorities “that the matter be looked into sincerely and without any undue influence,” sentiments likely shared by the accused father, Peter Joseph.
LONG WORK
LEAD Ministries “long worked to highlight issues faced by Pakistan’s Christian community and continues to follow this case closely. The organization is appealing for calm, transparency, and justice,” added Gill, who himself was forced to flee with his family after receiving death threats for his Christian faith and advocacy work.
Christians said no further details were immediately available as the case remains under investigation.
However, the latest incident comes just days after one of Pakistan’s most influential courts, the Islamabad High Court, ruled that a judicial commission will investigate the “abuse of blasphemy legislation” in a historic move that could impact minority Christians.
“The Islamabad High Court has taken a bold and historic step in safeguarding justice and human dignity by ordering the formation of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the abuse of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, particularly Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code,” said Farooq Bashir, general secretary of the Christian Lawyers Alliance Pakistan.
Hundreds of people, many of them Christians, have suffered on controversial charges of blasphemy against Islam, with many languishing for years in prison without a fair trial, according to rights activists.
Pakistan ranks eighth on the annual World Watch List of 50 countries where advocacy group Open Doors says Christians suffer most for their faith in Christ.
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