Two Christians in Pakistan face accusations of blasphemy due to the name they gave to a puppy

Two Christian teenage boys in Lahore have been charged with blasphemy under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), according to a complaint filed by Zahid Sohail Khan, a police constable. The complainant stated that while he was on his way to the mosque, he witnessed 18-year-old Adil Baber calling a puppy by a sacred Islamic name. Khan alleged that Adil Babar and his 14-year-old neighbor, Simon Masih, were mocking and joking about Islam in their street. Another individual named Shabir Iqbal was claimed to be an eyewitness to the incident.

The FIR was filed at the Race Course police station in Lahore, leading to the arrest of Adil and Simon. They are currently in prison on judicial remand. Some residents of the area, speaking anonymously, believe that this case is motivated by personal animosity rather than genuine blasphemy. Joseph Jansen, a minority rights activist, expressed concern and sadness over the increasing use of blasphemy charges against religious minorities, citing this as the second incident in the past two months targeting marginalized segments of society.