Plight of Christians in Pakistan

Pakistani Court Upholds Death Sentence for Christian Woman Accused of Insulting Islam

FOX NEWS: Asia Bibi was harvesting berries in Pakistan five years ago when she took the drink of water that could cost her her life.

A Christian in the Muslim-dominated and increasingly intolerant nation, the mother of five was quickly assailed by the other women working the field in a tiny village in the Punjab province. First they said they would not drink from the same water bucket as a Christian. Later, they told police Bibi had insulted the Muslim Prophet Mohammad. The crime, blasphemy, is punishable by death.

Bibi, who denies insulting Mohammad and maintains her co-workers falsely accused her, was convicted in 2010. Last week, despite an international outcry, a court in Lahore upheld the verdict and affirmed the sentence that Bibi be hanged. The 50-year-old has 30 days to appeal to the nation's highest court.

“This is a grave injustice,” said David Griffiths, Amnesty International’s deputy Asia Pacific director. “Asia Bibi should never have been convicted in the first place – still less sentenced to death – and the fact that she could pay with her life for an argument is sickening.” » | Lisa Daftari | Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Christian Sentenced to Death for Blasphemy in Pakistan

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Arrest of Sawan Masih after drunken row last year prompted Muslim mob to burn hundreds of homes in eastern city of Lahore

A Christian man has been sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan, according to his lawyer, following an incident last year that prompted a Muslim mob to torch hundreds of homes.

It is the latest in a string of convictions prompting calls from religious minorities for the law to be reformed.

Naeem Shakir said his client, Sawan Masih, was convicted during a hearing held in jail for fear of violent protests.

Masih, a cleaner, was accused of insulting the Prophet Mohammed during a conversation with a Muslim friend in the eastern city of Lahore. Within hours, about 3000 protesters had set light to Christian homes and churches in an area known as Joseph Colony.

His supporters have always claimed the incident was fabricated as part of a plot to seize land. » | Rob Crilly, Pakistan correspondent | Friday, March 28, 2014

Pakistanis React with 'Shock and Anger' at Latest Attack

BBC: People have been gathering in major Pakistani cities to protest against the latest suicide attack.

More than 80 people died and 120 were left injured after Islamist bombers detonated two deadly devices outside a church in Peshawar on Sunday.

This attack was the latest in a series of attacks on Pakistani Christians, who represent about 1.6% of the country's overwhelmingly Muslim population.

The BBC's Shazeb Jilani is in Pakistan where protesters told him that they will not 'tolerate' violence against minorities. Watch BBC video » | Monday, September 23, 2013