Pakistan: Christian Father Jailed on Alleged Blasphemy Charge

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – As Christians in Punjab Province, Pakistan, continue to face intense violent persecution from Islamic extremists, a Christian father of three was arrested on November 3 and jailed pending trial for blasphemy, Morning Star News reports.

Zafar Iqbal Ward of No. 12 of Kahna in Lahore, Punjab Province, was arrested after three local Muslims accused him of setting fire to pages of the Quran near his house. Iqbal is the most recent in an extending line of Christians who have been arrested for allegedly defacing Quranic pages.

Iqbal has been charged under Section 295-B of Pakistan’s anti-blasphemy law, which carries a life sentence for defacing the Quran.

Pakistani rights activist Napolean Qayyum told MSN: “Iqbal is now in prison on judicial remand, while his family has gone into hiding and are inaccessible.”

In a website statement about the situation facing Pakistani Christians, the Open Doors international Christian advocacy organization reports: “Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws are often used to target minority groups, but Christians are disproportionately affected. Indeed, roughly a quarter of all blasphemy accusations target Christians, who only make up 1.8% of the population.”

Ruled by an Islamic government that promotes harsh blasphemy laws, Pakistan ranks seventh 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.

More Worthy News

U.S. ‘Armada’ Arrives, but Air Defense Buildup May Delay Strike on Iran
U.S. ‘Armada’ Arrives, but Air Defense Buildup May Delay Strike on Iran
Sunday, February 1, 2026

President Donald Trump’s promised U.S. military “armada” has now arrived in the Middle East, led by the aircraft carrier strike group centered on the USS Abraham Lincoln. Yet despite the high-profile deployment of naval power and advanced fighter aircraft, U.S. officials say a major American response against Iran may be delayed as the Pentagon focuses on fortifying air defenses across the region, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Senate Passes Funding Deal, Sends To House For Final Approval
Senate Passes Funding Deal, Sends To House For Final Approval
Sunday, February 1, 2026

The U.S. Senate sent a $1.2 trillion government funding package back to the House for approval Friday night, ensuring a partial government shutdown over the weekend.

Nationwide Redistricting Efforts Could Impact Control Of Congress
Nationwide Redistricting Efforts Could Impact Control Of Congress
Sunday, February 1, 2026

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, state legislatures have grappled with fierce mid-decade redistricting efforts in an attempt to give an advantage to their political party. Based on current map projections, Republicans could flip three more seats than Democrats. Republicans currently have a slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Police: ‘Bandits Torch Police Station, Church In Nigeria’s Niger State’
Police: ‘Bandits Torch Police Station, Church In Nigeria’s Niger State’
Sunday, February 1, 2026

Suspected armed bandits attacked a community in Nigeria’s north-central Niger State, police said, burning a police station, torching part of a church, and abducting several residents.

Christian Mother Assaulted in Pakistan as Suspect Freed Within Minutes, Lawyer Says
Christian Mother Assaulted in Pakistan as Suspect Freed Within Minutes, Lawyer Says
Sunday, February 1, 2026

A prominent Christian lawyer has urged Pakistan’s government to intervene as a man accused of brutally assaulting a Christian woman and tearing her clothes in a Punjab province market was released within just 30 minutes of police detention, apparently due to his “contacts” with authorities, Christians said.

Congo Rebels Confirm Over 200 Dead In Landslide At Coltan Mine Site; Christians Concerned
Congo Rebels Confirm Over 200 Dead In Landslide At Coltan Mine Site; Christians Concerned
Sunday, February 1, 2026

Rebel authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) confirmed Saturday that more than 200 people have died after a landslide collapsed several mines at a major coltan mining site in the troubled east of the war-torn African nation.

Israel Launches Heaviest Gaza Airstrikes In Weeks After Ceasefire Breach
Israel Launches Heaviest Gaza Airstrikes In Weeks After Ceasefire Breach
Sunday, February 1, 2026

Hamas-run health authorities say more than two dozen people were killed Saturday in Gaza as Israel carried out its heaviest airstrikes in weeks.