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ASIA/PAKISTAN - Catholic man dies in prison after false blasphemy accusation

Lahore – The Catholic community in Lahore is mourning the death of Amir Peter, a 60-year-old Pakistani Catholic who died on July 1, 2026, from serious medical complications that developed during his detention. His case had caused deep sorrow and indignation: Amir Peter, the brother of Father Henry Paul, parish priest of St. Francis Church in Lahore, was falsely accused of blasphemy by local merchants on July 19, 2025, and subsequently arrested. His health steadily deteriorated during his imprisonment, worsening throughout the year he spent behind bars. The Capuchin friars of Lahore and the Christian organization “Christians' True Spirit” provided him with legal assistance and filed an application for bail on medical grounds because of his severe physical and psychological condition. He died before his case could be resolved. The Catholic community “mourns the loss of a man whose life was tragically cut short by a flawed legal process,” Father Qaiser Feroz, OFM Cap, spokesperson for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Pakistan, told Fides, expressing condolences to Amir Peter's family, especially to Father Henry Paul. “His condition was ignored, and he was denied the urgent medical care he needed,” Father Feroz said. Presiding over the funeral Mass on July 2 at St. Joseph's Church in Lahore, Archbishop Khalid Rehmat, OFM Cap, of Lahore said: “Amir Peter remained steadfast in his faith until the end. He lived his entire life according to the values of the Gospel and remained faithful to the Church. His witness of fidelity to God is an example for his children and for all of us.” Father Henry Paul, OFM Cap, Amir Peter's younger brother, added: “We thank God for the gift of Amir's profound faith, which enabled him to live his entire life with simplicity and humility,” while expressing gratitude to priests, religious and faithful for their prayers and words of comfort. In another recent case, however, justice took a different course. After nearly a year of hardship, Nadeem Masih, a Pakistani Catholic who has been blind since birth and also lives with a physical disability, was acquitted after spending around ten months in prison on blasphemy charges filed in 2025 by Muslim co-workers. In recent days, the trial court ruled that the evidence against him was insufficient and that the accusations had been “fabricated,” acquitting him and ordering his immediate release. Commenting on the two cases, Father Feroz told Fides: “These cases, which also affect the Catholic community, confirm that Pakistan's blasphemy law continues to be abused and manipulated through false accusations motivated by personal vendettas. We call on the Pakistani government to take appropriate measures to protect the lives of all those who are falsely accused and imprisoned without proper investigation or evidence.”

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