The Christian community in Lahore, Pakistan, is grieving the death of Amir Peter, who passed away in prison while awaiting trial on a blasphemy charge. Amir Peter, aged 60 and brother of Capuchin priest Fr. Henry Paul, was arrested on July 19, 2025, following a false blasphemy complaint by local businessmen. Despite efforts by the Capuchin Friars and Christians True Spirit to secure his release on medical grounds, he died in custody due to medical complications.
Fr. Qaisar Feroz, OFM Cap, a spokesperson for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan, expressed sorrow over Amir Peter’s death, attributing it to a flawed legal process. He criticized the authorities for neglecting Amir Peter’s deteriorating health and failing to provide necessary medical attention. The Catholic community mourns the loss of a man whose life was tragically cut short by the controversial blasphemy laws in Pakistan.
In a separate incident, a church leader in Pakistan accused the police of not complying with the Supreme Court’s order to arrest all suspects involved in attacks on churches and Christian homes in the Jaranwala area of Punjab province in 2023. Rev. Khalid Mukhtar, whose parish house was among the properties destroyed during the violence, highlighted the lack of progress despite the court’s directives. He emphasized that despite providing evidence identifying the perpetrators, arrests have been minimal, with most suspects either granted bail or discharged from cases.
Mukhtar revealed that out of 336 suspects against whom police filed charge sheets, only one remains in prison, while others have been released due to weak investigations and insufficient evidence. He pointed out that despite reports indicating over 5,000 individuals participated in the attacks, the legal proceedings have not yielded significant outcomes. The violence in Jaranwala stemmed from accusations of Quran desecration against two Christians, who were later acquitted by a trial court.
