Islamabad, October 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
More than 35 Christian families have reportedly fled their homes in Pakistan’s Punjab province after a mob allegedly set fire to a Christian man’s house and shop following blasphemy accusations against him, raising fears of further violence against the minority community.
According to Christian Daily International-Morning Star News, dozens of Muslims gathered outside Kamran Masih’s shop and adjoining home on Friday to protest. Some members of the crowd subsequently set both buildings on fire, the report said.
Masih, a 40-year-old father of three who operated a small pharmacy in Gharial Kalan village in Sheikhupura district, was arrested by police on Thursday night after local Muslims accused him of sharing a video described as blasphemous in WhatsApp groups.
“As word of Masih’s arrest spread, his family and other Christians started fleeing the village, fearing a mob attack,” a source told the publication on condition of anonymity.
The report, citing Masih’s relatives and other sources, said it remained unclear which specific provisions of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws had been invoked against him.
Police Deployed to Protect Christian Community
An official at the Sheikhupura District police chief’s office said a large number of police personnel had been deployed in the village to protect Christian residents and their properties. The official added that the investigation was underway.
“I’m not permitted to share more information due to the sensitivity of the situation,” the official told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.
Concerns Over Alleged Misuse of Blasphemy Laws
Pakistan’s blasphemy laws have repeatedly faced criticism from human rights organisations and legal experts, who warn that they can be misused to settle personal disputes and have disproportionately affected religious minorities.
A recent report said Pakistani officials informed a parliamentary committee that most of the 333 blasphemy cases registered across the country’s four provinces over the past five years were false.
Provincial home secretaries and senior police officials presented the information to the Senate’s Functional Committee on Human Rights, reportedly noting that the false cases included allegations involving Christians and other religious minorities.
According to official data cited by Christian Daily International-Morning Star News, Punjab recorded 116 cases under Section 295-C of the blasphemy law during the five-year period.
Sindh reported 96 cases under Section 295-B and 29 under Section 295-C. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded more than 90 blasphemy cases, while Balochistan registered 28 during the same period.
Provincial officials told the committee that blasphemy accusations were frequently connected to personal vendettas, family disputes and other private conflicts. In many instances, investigations reportedly found no evidence supporting the allegations, leading to the dismissal of cases.
Minority Group Flags Failure to Prevent Abuse
The Voice of Pakistan Minority (VOPM) has previously accused the Pakistani authorities of failing to curb the alleged misuse of blasphemy laws and protect religious minorities from false accusations and mob violence.
The organisation described the laws as among Pakistan’s most controversial issues, citing their impact on minority communities and what it considers the continued failure of institutions to prevent their misuse.
The latest incident has renewed concerns over the safety of Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan, particularly when blasphemy allegations trigger threats of mob violence.
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