FAISALABAD: On Good Friday, a day of solemn reflection and sacrifice for Christians worldwide, an anti-terrorism court in Faisalabad delivered a verdict that has sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s Christian community. Pervaiz alias Kodu Masih, a Christian man, was sentenced to death on charges of blasphemy related to the Jaranwala incident of August 2023—a case that sparked national outrage and global condemnation over Pakistan's treatment of religious minorities.

The court found Pervaiz guilty of desecrating the Holy Quran, an allegation that previously incited violent mob attacks in Jaranwala, where dozens of churches were torched and Christian homes destroyed. The judgment includes a death sentence under Section 295-C, life imprisonment under Section 295, a 10-year prison term under Section 295-A, and fines totaling Rs3.5 million.

In contrast, two co-accused, Shahid Iftikhar alias Bobby and Dawood William were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. The court acknowledged that the prosecution failed to prove their involvement, leading to their release after months of incarceration.

The timing of the verdict, delivered on Good Friday—a day that commemorates the unjust execution of Jesus Christ—has added to the anguish of a community still reeling from the trauma of the Jaranwala attacks. For many, the symbolism is both painful and profound.

The ruling has renewed urgent calls for reform of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, which human rights advocates argue are frequently misused to persecute minorities, settle personal scores, or incite communal violence. Critics have long maintained that these laws lack safeguards against abuse and are often enforced without proper investigation or due process.

LEAD Ministries Pakistan, a prominent Christian advocacy group, expressed deep concern over the judgment. In a statement, the organization reiterated its demand for comprehensive legal reform and stronger protections for Pakistan’s vulnerable religious communities.

Sardar Mushtaq Gill, founder of LEAD Ministries, urged the international community to move beyond statements of concern and take meaningful action. He warned that blasphemy laws are now being weaponized in increasingly deceptive ways, including the use of women as honey traps to falsely implicate innocent individuals. “This pattern of abuse,” Gill stated, “has turned the law into a tool of exploitation and entrapment, rather than justice. The world must not remain silent as innocent lives are destroyed.”

Pastor Imran Amanat, the current leader of LEAD Ministries, echoed this call in an emotional appeal to people of faith around the world: “We implore you to join us in fervent prayer for all Christians who remain behind bars, falsely accused under these draconian blasphemy laws. Their suffering is not only a miscarriage of justice but a stain on the conscience of humanity. That this verdict came on Good Friday—a day symbolizing sacrifice and injustice—makes our call for compassion and reform even more urgent. We must speak up for those who have no voice and work toward a legal system that upholds justice, not fear.”

Nearly two years after the Jaranwala riots, many Christian families remain displaced and fearful of returning to their homes. The scars of that violence are still fresh, and Friday’s verdict has reopened wounds for a community already living under the shadow of persecution.

As international attention once again turns toward Pakistan, activists, legal experts, and faith leaders are calling for introspection, accountability, and urgent legal reform—before more lives are lost to injustice masquerading as law.