Islamabad Sanitary Worker Could Be Sentenced to Death in Blasphemy Case

Islamabad, Pakistan — Ishtiaq Saleem, a 34-year-old Christian father and sanitary worker from Islamabad, has been in custody since November 2022 and now faces the possibility of a death sentence over allegations linked to social media content. Advocates say his case highlights the growing misuse of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws against religious minorities and innocent citizens.

In Pakistan, online platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook are increasingly exploited for blasphemy accusations. Some individuals use deceptive tactics, including honey traps, to entrap people and extort them through fabricated charges. These laws are often wielded not only against those who criticize Islam but also against Christians and others who have done nothing to oppose the religion, leaving innocent individuals vulnerable to harassment, imprisonment, and severe legal consequences.

Saleem was arrested after sacrilegious images of the Prophet Muhammad appeared on his phone. He maintains that he was unaware of the images, which had been shared in a WhatsApp group and inadvertently downloaded to his device. Saleem insists that he neither posted nor shared the content himself.

Since his detention, Saleem has remained in custody, with multiple bail requests denied by lower courts and later by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which instructed the trial court to expedite proceedings. The trial has reached a critical stage, with hearings concluded for Saleem while proceedings continue for a co-accused, Muhammad Umair.

LEAD Ministries, led by Pastor Imran Amanat, is calling for prayers for Saleem’s case, as he is also a victim of systematic harassment against Christians. While the organization does not have the financial resources to directly aid victims, it continues to document cases, advocate for justice, and support minority communities through church planting, women’s empowerment, and pastoral care initiatives. LEAD Ministries warns that social media blasphemy accusations are increasingly used to intimidate, extort, and target innocent citizens who pose no threat to Islam.

Sardar Mushtaq Gill, founder of LEAD Ministries, said that Christians charged under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws often face double jeopardy: the constant threat of death or harm, combined with the struggle against poverty. In Saleem’s case, his arrest has left this young father’s family enduring severe hardships, struggling both for survival and for their safety.

Christian Leaders Continue Struggle as Islamabad Evictions Threaten Thousands; LEAD Ministries Calls for Prayer

Islamabad, Pakistan — Christian leaders continue to struggle for a unified and effective response as thousands of families face eviction from informal settlements in Islamabad and reportedly surrounding areas. The deepening crisis has prompted urgent appeals from religious figures, including Imran Amanat of LEAD Ministries, who is calling on Christians worldwide to stand in prayer for those affected.

The eviction crisis centers on settlements such as Rimsha Colony and Akram Masih Gill Colony, where an estimated 25,000 predominantly Christian residents have reportedly been ordered to vacate their homes by authorities, including the Capital Development Authority. Many residents report being given only short notice, triggering fear, anxiety, and unrest. These communities have existed for years, with families building homes, churches, and schools after fleeing previous incidents of violence and instability.

Rimsha Colony, in particular, carries historical and symbolic significance. It is named after Rimsha Masih, a young Christian girl who gained international attention in 2012 when she was falsely accused of blasphemy. The case sparked outrage both within Pakistan and internationally, drawing concern from human rights organizations and extensive media coverage. Due to threats against her and her family, Rimsha Masih was forced to leave Pakistan and was later relocated to Canada for safety. Today, Rimsha Colony stands as a reminder of the challenges faced by religious minorities in Pakistan and highlights broader issues of minority rights and protection in the country.

The poor Christian families of H-9 Sector 2, Rimsha Colony, are living under constant fear as the threat of demolition looms. The situation has left residents sleepless and deeply anxious, struggling through nights filled with uncertainty and dread. These families are urgently appealing for help and protection, calling on authorities to intervene and provide a solution. Their struggle is not just for shelter, but for dignity, security, and the fundamental right to a safe place to call home.

Christian religious and political leaders across Pakistan have strongly urged the government to halt the evictions and ensure fair and humane treatment for vulnerable communities. Advocates argue that the lack of a clear resettlement plan places thousands at risk of homelessness and further marginalization. Concerns have also been raised by human rights advocates, including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, which has warned that forced evictions without proper rehabilitation measures may violate existing legal protections.

Amid the growing uncertainty, Pastor Imran Amanat has emphasized the emotional and spiritual toll on affected families, calling on the global Christian community to pray for them. LEAD Ministries has been actively supporting local communities, offering pastoral care, encouragement, and raising awareness about the crisis while also promoting unity among Christian leaders.

Despite widespread concern, Christian leadership remains divided over how to respond, with some advocating protests and legal action while others favor dialogue and negotiation with authorities. This lack of consensus has made it difficult to present a unified front. Most affected families belong to low-income groups, working as sanitation workers, domestic helpers, and laborers, and they face significant barriers in finding alternative housing.

As eviction deadlines approach, uncertainty continues to grow, with families fearing displacement and loss of livelihood. Christian leaders, along with organizations like LEAD Ministries, continue to call for an immediate halt to evictions, the provision of alternative housing, and the protection of minority rights, while emphasizing the need for faith, unity, and sustained support during one of the most challenging moments for the community.

Shocking Abduction: 12-Year-Old Hindu Girl Targeted in Systematic Forced Conversion in Sindh and Punjab

Mirpurkhas, Sindh (Pakistan) — LEAD Ministries has learned a disturbing new case involving a 12-year-old Hindu girl, Lachhmi Kolhi, from Bukhari Farm village near Kot Ghulam Muhammad. She was allegedly abducted and taken to Samaro, where she was forced to convert to Islam and married. Her true age of 12 was reportedly falsified as 19 on official records.

Pastor Imran Amanat, leader of LEAD Ministries, condemned the incident, warning that minority girls in Sindh and Punjab continue to be targeted. Reports indicate that forced conversions and coerced marriages are not isolated incidents but part of an organized pattern by Islamist groups targeting Hindu and Christian girls across Pakistan.

Sardar Mushtaq Gill, founder of LEAD Ministries, said: “A child cannot truly decide to change her religion or enter into marriage under pressure, particularly when isolated from family and community. Forced conversions of this nature systematically violate the rights of children and put them at severe risk of long-term social and psychological harm.”

LEAD Ministries documents persecution and violence against Christians in Pakistan while advocating for religious freedom, pastoral care, and community support. Its Women Fellowship Ministry, led by Farzana Imran, empowers Christian women and girls to resist abduction, forced conversion, coerced marriage, and social discrimination through faith, courage, and practical skills.

Through church planting, discipleship, Women Fellowships, Pastor Care, rescuing families from bonded labor, and advocacy, LEAD Ministries works to strengthen churches, empower women and girls, support pastors, redeem families, and protect persecuted communities.

Pastor Imran Amanat urges authorities to take immediate action to investigate Lachhmi Kolhi’s case and to halt the systematic targeting of vulnerable children. He also called on communities and supporters to pray for the ongoing work of LEAD Ministries as the organization continues to protect persecuted minorities, empower women and girls, and advocate for human rights across Pakistan.