Pakistan: Young Christian Man Imprisoned For Alleged Blasphemy, “Christ Will Not Forsake Him”
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – An 18-year-old Christian man in Pakistan is in prison awaiting trial after a former classmate accused him of insulting Islam by saying he did not believe in Allah and questioning the right of Muslim men to have four wives, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. With notoriously harsh blasphemy laws, Islamic-majority Pakistan ranks seven on the US Open Doors World Watch List 2024 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.
Ashbeel Ghauri was arrested at his home in Attock city, Punjab Province on March 6, MSN reports. His former classmate Sheraz Gulistan reported him to police following remarks he allegedly made during a discussion about Islam in a WhatsApp group two months ago.
Ashbeel was charged with blasphemy under Section 295-A of the penal code, which pertains to hurting religious sentiments and carries sentences of up to 10 years in prison or a fine, or both, MSN said.
In a statement to MSN, Ashbeel’s Presbyterian father Babar Ghauri said his son had not insulted Islam and knew better than to get into an argument about it. “Ashbeel has categorically denied making any derogatory remarks about Islam. He always asked academic questions about the Islamic faith whenever he was forcibly dragged into such conversation. As Christians living in Pakistan, we are all well aware of the sensitivities involving religious discussion, and our children are taught from day one to avoid getting into such arguments.”
“It’s a crucial time for my family, especially for Ashbeel, but we know God will walk us through this test, and he will emerge victorious in faith,” Ghauri added. “His mother and I met him in prison on March 8, and though he is concerned about his condition, Ashbeel told us not to worry because he knows Christ will not forsake him.”
Ashbeel’s attorney, Nadeem Hassan of legal aid group Christians True Spirit (CTS), is hopeful the young man will be granted bail as he awaits trial. Meanwhile, however, Ashbeel is in prison.
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