Christian Altar Boy Faces Blasphemy Charges in Pakistan
In a case that has drawn the attention of international religious freedom advocates, a young Christian altar boy in Lahore, Pakistan, has gone into hiding after facing accusations that could lead to the death penalty. The allegations against Asher Bhatti, who denies the claims, revolve around purportedly blasphemous Facebook content, which he asserts was posted by his uncle through a fake account.
Bhatti, hailing from the Nishter neighborhood, and his uncle, Samuel Paul, were named in a police complaint filed by Muhammad Umair on September 16. The complaint accuses them of sharing content offensive to Muslims, particularly against the prophet Muhammad, and seeks their prosecution under Pakistan’s strict Section 295-C blasphemy law, which prescribes death or life imprisonment for offenders.
Critics of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws argue that they are frequently exploited to settle personal disputes and target minorities. Faraz Pervaiz, a vocal advocate for human rights in Pakistan, revealed that Bhatti, who served at St. Matthew’s Church, has filed a counter-complaint with the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency. He claims the Facebook account was fabricated by his uncle, an asylum seeker in Thailand, to incriminate him due to personal vendettas.
Samuel Paul, reportedly associated with the extremist group Jihadi Allama Muhammad Rashid Madni Hamadi, allegedly harbors financial motives against Bhatti. Pervaiz, who fled to Thailand in 2014 after threats from the same group, stated, “I, Faraz Pervaiz, strongly assert that many individuals threatening my life are Pakistani refugees registered with UNHCR in Thailand.” He added that his location was disclosed by Muslim refugees, leading to a violent attack.
Bhatti has now gone into hiding due to threats from Paul and the tense situation in his local area, Nadeem Chowk, as highlighted by Pervaiz. He emphasized the urgent need for intervention from the UNHCR Thailand to prevent Paul from further exploiting the refugee status to jeopardize vulnerable families.
Nasir Saeed, the director of the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance & Settlement in the UK, commented on the broader implications of Bhatti’s case, stating it showcases the rampant misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan. He noted, “Asher Bhatti is innocent, yet he has been forced into hiding because of a false accusation.” Saeed added that numerous individuals, including children, are unjustly imprisoned under these laws, with some falling victim to vigilante violence.
Father Lazar Aslam, part of the Pakistan Committee for Peace, is rallying support for Bhatti, expressing concerns over his safety and the potential for mob violence. “As has often happened in other cases, Bhatti’s life is now in danger, even before the start of the judicial process,” he explained to Fides.
Pakistan, with a Muslim majority of 97%, holds the position as the eighth-worst nation for Christian persecution according to Open Doors International’s 2025 World Watch List.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
