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Pakistan

• Tortured to Death by Police

  

  While investigating an alleged theft, police detained 28-year-old Amir Masih. Four days later, he died in hospital from wounds inflicted by police officers.

  On August 28th, Amir Masih was taken into custody after accusations of theft were made against him by his employer. Two days later, after not returning home, his family discovered that he was being detained. Finally, on September 2nd, they were informed that Amir was going to be transferred to hospital because he was not well.

• Appeal Adjourned for the Seventh Time

  

  Zafar Bhatti has been in prison since July 2012, charged with blasphemous text messages. In 2017, he was sentenced to life imprisonment.  He denies any involvement as the mobile phone in question was not registered to his name. He has appealed the sentence, yet hearings have been repeatedly adjourned. The latest court date was set for June 19th, but it too was delayed for the seventh time. The hearing is now rescheduled to take place on September 12th.

• Family Left Homeless After Attack

  

  A Christian pastor, his wife, and college-aged daughter are thankful to be unharmed after they were attacked by a mob of 34 men. A police officer happened to be passing by at the time and rescued the family. Although they escaped with only minor injuries, they are now left homeless, as the attackers seized their property.

• Asia Bibi Possibly in Canada

  

  If reports from CNN and other notable sources are accurate, Asia Bibi finally arrived in Canada on May 8th, more than six months after all charges against her were dismissed. Following multiple false rumours since the October 31st court ruling, it is now reported that Asia has arrived in Canada with her husband, and the couple are staying in an undisclosed location with their children. Further information on the family's location will remain confidential for security purposes.

• Disabled Person Accused of Blasphemy

  

  Stephen, a Christian man suffering from mental impairment, has been arrested under the country's blasphemy laws after a neighbour overheard a family argument. On March 11th, the accused got into a heated discussion with his brother-in-law over fasting and prayer during Lent and ended up losing his temper, shouting loudly -- a common symptom of his disability. A neighbour overheard the argument, barged into the home, and began beating Stephen. When the family attempted to intervene, the neighbour claimed that Stephen had committed blasphemy.

• Kidnapped Girl Forcibly Converted to Islam

  

  Sadaf Masih, a 13-year-old from Bahawalpur, has been kidnapped, forcibly converted to Islam, and married to a Muslim. Despite evidence, the family's cries for justice have fallen on deaf ears.

  On February 6th, Sadaf was abducted by influential men in her community. Her parents reached out to the family of the abductors and was assured that she would be returned. Yet after eight days, the perpetrators returned to say that Sadaf had converted to Islam and was now married. They showed the family a marriage certificate which falsely stated that she was 18 years old.

• Asia Bibi Freed; Pervaiz Masih Acquitted

  

  In a much-anticipated decision, Pakistan's top court has rejected a challenge to the acquittal of a Christian woman on blasphemy charges. The ruling is the final legal option, allowing Asia Bibi to freely leave the country.

  Originally convicted in 2010 after accusations of insulting Mohammed, Asia spent eight years on death row. The case has polarized the country, and government leaders who provided their support have been killed. The Supreme Court threw out all charges against the accused believer on October 31st, at which time she was taken into protective custody due to threats against her life. Although a final appeal was filed, the Supreme Court ruled on January 29th that the petitioners gave no evidence that the original acquittal was wrong. In fact, the Chief Justice stated that, if the case had not been so sensitive, her accusers would be guilty of perjury and should be jailed for life.

• New Security Updates Required of All Churches

  

  In a move presented as a way to protect Christians, new regulations in the province of Punjab may result in the closure of churches. As of January 2nd, the government is requiring minimum security updates to all church properties. According to one ministry leader, the requirements are short on details but will likely require metal detectors and security cameras with offsite monitoring and storage.

• Brothers Sentenced to Death for Blasphemy

  

  Two Christian brothers, Qaisar and Amoon Ayub, have been in Jhelum Jail since 2015 on accusations of blasphemy. The allegations go back to 2009 for website material that was considered offensive against Islam. On December 14th, the brothers received notice that they had been convicted and sentenced to death. For security reasons, the two did not appear in court for the sentencing.

• Asia Bibi Released But Location Unknown

  

  During the night of November 7th, Pakistani authorities released Asia Bibi from the Multan jail following her acquittal a week before (click here for more information). Under tight security and a media blackout, she boarded a flight to an unknown destination. Initial media reports claim that she had been flown out of Pakistan. However, government officials insist that she is still within the country but at a safe location. Please remain mindful to pray for Asia, her family, and the nation of Pakistan.