by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – A second Christian charged with blasphemy in Pakistan was released on bail pending trial last week after a court found there was no direct evidence in the three cases brought against him, Christian Daily International (CDI) reports.
The father of a four-year-old daughter, Zimran Asim was released on October 29 after the Lahore High Court granted bail on September 24 in the third blasphemy case registered against him, his attorney Aneeqa Maria said in a statement. The high court had granted him bail in the other two cases on July 29 and April 24, CDI reports.
“Asim was implicated only because he was seen once with the primary accused, Akash Masih,” Maria said. “Zimran Asim’s case is a fitting example of how innocent people are implicated in false cases by individuals as well as the police. This poor man was forced to suffer in prison, away from his family for over one year. They also lost their home and can’t even think of going back to their village.”
“I believe the blatant misuse of the laws has made the situation equally dangerous for blasphemy accused, their defense counsels as well as rights defenders,” Maria added. “The government must take this issue seriously in order to protect innocent lives and break this environment of fear.”
Asim became the second Christian charged with blasphemy to be released on bail after a high court found there major defects in the case against Chand Shamaun, who was freed on October 23. Shamaun is accused of inciting religious tensions in Okara, Punjab Province, by threatening to desecrate the Quran, CDI reports.
Ruled by an Islamic government which has approved harsh blasphemy laws, Pakistan ranks 7 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2024 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
The U.S. Senate late Wednesday rejected a Democratic-led effort to restrict President Donald Trump’s military authority against Iran, handing the White House a significant victory as the administration continues negotiations with Tehran.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the first milestone test of Golden Dome for America was a “full mission success,” calling it a major step toward President Donald Trump’s goal of building a next-generation shield to defend the American homeland.
Rescuers raced to find survivors Thursday after two powerful earthquakes shook the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, seconds apart, killing dozens and injuring hundreds.
President Donald Trump is expected to meet Thursday at the White House with senior executives from major U.S. defense companies as his administration seeks to accelerate weapons production following the war with Iran and other conflicts that have strained Pentagon stockpiles.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Wednesday that Israel and Lebanon are discussing a possible scale-back of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon as part of U.S.-mediated negotiations in Washington.
Canadian police have warned of possible copycat attacks after a deadly shooting in Montreal left three people dead, including a police officer, and a manifesto linked to the gunman was circulated online.
A deadly heatwave tightened its grip on Europe Wednesday, sending temperatures soaring to record levels, straining power grids, disrupting transport, and raising fears of additional casualties across the continent.