- Joined
- Mar 11, 2013
- Messages
- 15,227
- Points
- 113
Lahore, Pakistan: A young Christian man from Lahore has become the latest victim of Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws after being accused under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code—an offense that carries the death penalty. However, emerging evidence suggests the allegation may stem from a malicious scheme involving the misuse of social media.
Asher Bhatti, an altar boy at St. Matthew’s Church in Awan Market, was accused after blasphemous content was allegedly posted from a Facebook account bearing his name and photograph. Police registered FIR No. 6285/25 and referred the case to the Investigation Wing for further inquiry.
According to reports, in a dramatic turn of events, Bhatti has filed a counter-complaint with the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA), asserting that the Facebook account is fake and was created to frame him. He accuses a close relative of orchestrating the scheme out of jealousy and personal enmity. Bhatti claims this individual used his photo and name to post offensive material intended to provoke outrage and incite legal action.
“I have deep respect for all Prophets, religious figures, and all religions,” Bhatti stated in his application, declaring his innocence and expressing his commitment to peaceful coexistence.
He also reported receiving threats from the relative through their personal Facebook account and described suffering severe mental trauma as a result. Bhatti has since gone into hiding at an undisclosed location for his safety. The situation in Nadeem Chowk, Awan Market, remains tense.
Christian leaders are voicing grave concern over the case. Pastor Imran Amanat, leader of LEAD Ministries Pakistan, strongly condemned the exploitation of blasphemy laws for personal revenge.
“This is not just a matter of religious persecution; it’s a betrayal from within,” said Pastor Amanat. “Christians in Pakistan already live under immense pressure. When members of our own community misuse these laws to settle scores, they not only destroy lives—they destroy the trust that binds us together.”
Adding to the concern, Sardar Mushtaq Gill, founder of LEAD Ministries Pakistan, highlighted the broader pattern of legal abuse in the country.
“It is common in Pakistan to misuse criminal laws to harm, injure, or defame others—whether through false rape accusations, fabricated murder charges, or drug-related offenses,” Gill stated. “Now, people are turning to blasphemy laws, using platforms like Facebook to target those they envy or hate, or to gain some other undue advantage. This trend is deeply alarming and must be addressed urgently.”
He urged local authorities to approach such cases critically rather than reactively, in order to prevent the destruction of innocent lives. He also called on international bodies to take the issue seriously, stressing that in Pakistan, “people are not only using girls for false rape charges as tools to harm others, but are also using social media as a weapon”—a practice that violates both human rights and the dignity of the victims involved.
LEAD Ministries is demanding immediate protection for Bhatti, as well as legal action against those who file false accusations under blasphemy laws.
This incident underscores a growing concern in Pakistan: how social media manipulation—especially through fake profiles—can fuel dangerous accusations, particularly in communities already vulnerable to persecution. As investigations by both police and cybercrime authorities continue, many hope that justice will prevail and that this case will serve as a wake-up call for both digital accountability and legal reform.
Pastor Imran Amanat has also appealed to the global Christian community to pray for the safety, strength, and unity of Christians in Pakistan during these challenging times.
