Younis Masih Granted Blasphemy Appeal!

Release International 04 April 2013

Younis Masih’s wife, Meena,
is pictured here with Shahbaz Bhatti,
who spoke on Younis’ behalf.
Photo: All Pakistan Minorities Alliance

The VOM ministry team is pleased to announce the good news that Younis Masih has just been released by the High Court in Lahore. (His release took place on April 3rd). The father of four, who suffered a serious heart attack this past January while in custody, has been imprisoned since November 2005. Please pray for God's perfect peace and ongoing protection of Younis and his reunited family as they rebuild their lives together. We can also thank the Lord for the courage of the High Court judges who resisted pressure from all those in opposition, ensuring that justice was done. May His blessings be upon them as well for upholding the truth in the court of law. For a past report on this believer's case, review this story.

Pakistan

Current Ministry Projects
VOMC partners to train Christian women in sewing skills throughout Pakistan to provide a sustainable source of income for their families and encourage them in their faith and witness for Christ.

Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Women’s Ministry
Country Information
Population
247,653,551 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Punjabi (44.7), Pashtun [Pathan] (15.4), Sindhi (14.1), Saraiki (8.4) Muhajirs (7.6) Balochi (3.6), Other (6.3)

Religion (%)
Islam (96.5), Other - Christian and Hindu (3.5)

Leader
President Asif Ali Zardari (2024)

Government type
Federal parliamentary republic

Legal system
Common law system with Islamic law influence

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Pakistan
Pray that amendments will be made to Pakistan's existing blasphemy laws so that the country's citizens – including its children – will be protected from injustice and abuse. May our Lord's mercy and justice prevail, not only in the judiciary system but also in the hearts of the country's militants. Ask Him to transform their "hearts of stone" into hearts that are receptive to His love, mercy and the workings of His Holy Spirit – not only for the purpose of protecting the Christian minority but also for the salvation of their own eternal souls.

Pakistan News

Christian Man Beaten to Death in Targeted Attack

Photo: PickPic

On the evening of September 24th, Asif Raza was returning home from work in the Vehari district of Punjab when he was suddenly ambushed by a group of seven assailants. The men brutally assaulted Asif, deliberately targeting his head while striking him repeatedly with bricks.

Read more...
Fake Facebook Account Sparks Blasphemy Allegations

Photo: Pixabay / umarseehar

"No Christian in Pakistan, fully aware of the devastating consequences, would intentionally publish or write anything that could be perceived as blasphemous against Islam." This statement by Father Lazar Aslam was made in response to recent allegations against a young Christian man, Asher Bhatti, whose case has sparked widespread concerns among religious freedom advocates.

Read more...
Zafar Bhatti Dies Shortly After Acquittal

Zafar Bhatti
Photo: Release International

Zafar Bhatti was imprisoned in July 2012, following accusations that he had sent blasphemous text messages from his cell phone. Over the years, at least 47 separate appeal hearings were held on behalf of the Christian believer. Despite repeated recommendations from prison authorities for his release on medical grounds, Zafar remained in custody. In 2019, he suffered two minor heart attacks, and doctors warned that a third could be fatal. (View previous reports on Zafar's case.)

Read more...
Justice Delayed in Jaranwala

The riots in 2023.
Photo: Morning Star News

Incensed by allegations of blasphemy against two falsely accused Christian brothers, thousands of angry people stormed a Christian colony in Jaranwala, Punjab, on August 16th, 2023. The mob destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses before the violence was eventually brought under control. (Video footage of the attack is available here.)

Read more...