Pakistani authorities recently arrested 26-year-old Christian Chand Shamaun under blasphemy laws during a property dispute with his brother, Morning Star News reported.
The Morning Star noted that the June 23 arrests came at the same time that a government minister acknowledged that Pakistan had failed to protect religious minorities from false blasphemy accusations. Chand and his brother Zeeshan were reportedly detained following allegations of Quran desecration that local Christians deny.
False promises
Deputy Commissioner of Police Mehul Yousaf initially assured residents that the brothers would only be charged with minor offences, but Chand was instead charged under more severe blasphemy and anti-terrorism laws, causing local Christians to temporarily flee for fear of violence, according to the Morning Star newspaper.
Local Christian leaders, including Bishop Abraham Daniel, denounced the false accusations as the result of police misconduct. The case appears to highlight the continuing abuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan, a view acknowledged by Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, who also noted an increase in violence against religious minorities.
According to the Morning Star newspaper, Parliament called for immediate measures to ensure the safety and rights of all citizens, regardless of their faith.
Pakistan retained its seventh place ranking as the most difficult place to be a Christian in Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List.
Editor’s note — The full article was written and first published by Morning Star News.
