Christian Youth Caught in False Blasphemy Charges – News Report
Christian Youth Caught in False Blasphemy Charges
Report by Qaisar Qayyum
September 18, 2025 • Lahore, Pakistan
Breaking: Another Christian youth has been caught in what appears to be false blasphemy charges involving identity theft and cybercrime from abroad.
📅 Timeline of Events
September 15, 2025: Asher Bhatti reports to NCCIA about fake Facebook account
September 16, 2025: Muhammad Umair files FIR against Asher Bhatti under Section 295C
On September 15, 2025, the victim Asher Bhatti approached the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) with a disturbing revelation. He reported that his uncle, Samuel Paul, who resides in Thailand, had created a fraudulent Facebook account using his identity.
Key Allegation: The fake account was used to post insulting content against the Holy Prophet, putting Asher Bhatti at serious risk under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.
According to Bhatti’s statement to authorities, Samuel Paul had threatened him directly, claiming responsibility for creating significant trouble for both Asher and his family members.
⚠️ Escalation: The situation deteriorated rapidly when Muhammad Umair, a local shopkeeper in Lahore, discovered the offensive posts and filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Asher Bhatti.
Legal Context: The FIR was filed under Section 295C of Pakistan Penal Code – which carries severe penalties including life imprisonment or death for blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad.
Napoleon Qayyum, a prominent human rights activist, issued a statement expressing deep concern over the incident. He condoled with the victim’s family and strongly condemned the misuse of digital platforms to falsely implicate innocent individuals in blasphemy cases.
“The National Cybercrime Investigation Agency should have immediately investigated this account to determine who was operating it and from where. With proper digital forensics, they could have cleared everything within 3 days,”
Qayyum emphasized the urgent need for swift technical investigation in such sensitive cases to prevent innocent lives from being endangered due to false accusations.
In a commendable response to the volatile situation, local police have mobilized significant resources to ensure the safety of the accused and his family. Their protective efforts have been particularly noteworthy given the sensitive nature of blasphemy accusations in Pakistan.
International Dimension: According to sources close to the investigation, Asher Bhatti’s parents currently reside in the United Kingdom, while the alleged perpetrator Samuel Paul operates from Thailand.
Extortion Element: Reports suggest Samuel Paul was engaged in blackmail, demanding money from the family in the UK with threats to create problems for their son Asher if payments were not made.
NCCIA
Local Police
Cybercrime Unit
Current Status: The case highlights critical issues around digital identity theft, cross-border cybercrime, and the misuse of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. Authorities are working to establish the true source of the offensive content while ensuring the safety of all involved parties.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
