A Christian accused of writing blasphemous content that sparked violent riots in Jaranwala, Pakistan in August 2023 was sentenced to death along with other harsh penalties on Good Friday (April 18).
Pervaiz Masih had been arrested and charged under Pakistan’s widely condemned blasphemy statutes. Among the charges: desecrating the Quran, insulting Islam’s prophet, criminal conspiracy, offenses related to the possession or use of explosives or other terrorist-related materials.
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Anti-Terrorism Judge Javed Iqbal Sheikh convicted Masih, alias Kodu, and sentenced him to the death penalty under Section 295-C with a fine of 2 million rupees ($7,133 USD); to 10 years of prison and a fine of 1 million rupees ($3,566 USD) in the offense registered under Section 295-A; to life imprisonment under Section 295-B; and five years in prison and a fine of 500,000 rupees ($1,783 USD) under Section 9 of the ATA.
Pakistan, whose population is more than 96% Muslim, ranked eighth on Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written and originally published by Morning Star News.
