Morning Star News: Arrested Christian in Pakistan Denies Sharing Facebook Post

Muslim leader advised complainant that content was not derogatory.

Published July 12, 2023

LAHORE, Pakistan (Morning Star News) – Police in Pakistan on Saturday (July 8) arrested a Christian for allegedly sharing a post on Facebook even though his village’s Islamic cleric and other Muslims denied that it amounted to blasphemy, his brother said.

Wasim Masih told Morning Star News that Sargodha police registered a blasphemy case against his 35-year-old brother, Zaki Masih of Chak 98 Shumaali village, after a local Muslim, Muhammad Awais, accused him of insulting Islam by sharing a post on Facebook.

Police arrested Zaki Masih under Section 295-A of Pakistan’s blasphemy statutes relating to “deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs,” punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine or both. He was also charged under Section 298 against hurting religious sentiments, punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine or both.

Zaki Masih denies sharing the material, originally posted by a Muslim critical of those who adulterated basic food items such as milk, his brother said. The complainant, Awais, has Muslim friends with whom the two brothers have a property dispute that led to a clash five years ago, Wasim Masih said.

Continue here.